Former Representative Katie Porter Reflects on Recent Controversies

Katie Porter, the former Democratic representative from California and a leading candidate for governor, is expressing regrets about how she has treated reporters and staff. She acknowledges that she “could have handled things better.”

A video surfaced last week showing Porter losing her temper during a meeting with the Biden administration. In the footage, she can be heard yelling, “Stay away from my fucking shots!” at a staff member, who had corrected her on a policy detail. “Okay, you were in my shot before that. Please stay out of my shot,” she added, illustrating her frustration.

This new video emerged shortly after another incident gained attention, where she threatened to end an interview with a local CBS affiliate. She stated, “I don’t want to have an unfortunate experience with you, and I don’t want all of this to be on camera,” highlighting her discomfort during that interaction.

In a recent television interview, Porter admitted that her behavior in the videos was inappropriate. “I want people to know that when they watch these videos, I understand that things could have been handled better,” she remarked. “I think I’m known for being able to tackle tough questions and respond to them. I really appreciate my staff’s hard work.” She also conveyed that while she can be tough, she recognizes the need to show gratitude to her team.

Additionally, Porter mentioned that she has apologized to the staff member involved. She told him, “I was losing my temper, that I was frustrated, and I appreciated you taking the time to correct me.” Following the incident, she noted that she managed to redo the shot and get the facts right.