Former United Nations Ambassador and Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley is facing criticism after an answer she gave to the question of what caused the Civil War.
During a campaign event in New Hampshire on Wednesday, a voter asked, “What was the cause of the United States Civil War?”
“Well, don’t come with an easy question,” Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, responded. “I think the cause of the Civil War was basically how government was going to run, the freedoms of what people could and couldn’t do.”
She then asked the man what he thought the cause of the war was, however, he declined to answer her question.
Haley went on:
“I think it always comes down to the role of government and what the rights of the people are. And I will always stand by the fact that I think government was intended to secure the rights and freedom of the people. It was never meant to be all things to be all people. Government doesn’t need to tell you how to live your life, they don’t need to tell you what you can and can’t do, they don’t need to be a part of your life. They need to make that sure you have freedom.”
Watch the video below:
Finally, she insisted the government should ensure people can “do or be anything they want to be without government getting in the way.”
“In 2023, it’s astonishing to me that you would answer that question without mentioning the word slavery,” the man responded.
Haley then asked, “What do you want me to say about slavery?”
“You’ve answered my question. Thank you,” the man responded.
It did not take long for the clip to go viral as negative reactions poured in:
The Associated Press noted Haley has previously failed to say slavery was the cause of the Civil War.