Vice President Kamala Harris was the first to cut into the flashpoints of the culture wars on Friday, accusing Florida Republicans of slamming the state’s Board of Education’s newly approved standards for black history education and accusing “so-called leaders” of driving propaganda and intentionally misleading children.

It’s the latest example of Harris acting as a voice for the administration’s rapid response, moving swiftly across the country in the aftermath of controversial votes and legislation to forcefully block state Republican moves on guns, abortion, and education. On Wednesday, the Florida Board of Education approved new standards for how black history should be taught in the state’s public schools. has sparked criticism from advocates for education and the civil rights movement Students should be able to learn the “complete truth” of American history, he said.

“We know history, and let’s not let the politicians who are trying to divide this country win,” Harris said in a fiery speech. “They create unnecessary debate. There is no need to debate whether enslaved people benefited from slavery. Are you kidding me? Should we discuss it?”

Harris said he was concerned that Republicans wanted to “replace history with lies.” A document posted on the state’s Department of Education website emphasized that the standard requires instruction to middle school students to include “how slaves have acquired skills that can in some cases be applied for personal gain,” according to a document posted on the state’s Department of Education website.

It’s the latest development in the state’s ongoing debate over African-American history, including the Department of Education’s rejection of a pilot version of the Advanced Placement African-American Studies course for high school students, arguing it has no educational value. The White House voiced his strong opposition to the banning of books Other steps were taken to remove elements of American history from school curricula, and the issue was included in Biden’s re-election announcement video in April.

The president’s advisers see the issue as one that could fuel Democrats in next year’s election, with Harris’ presence in the state at the epicenter of the boiling culture wars seeking to present Harris and Biden as a safeguard against extremist measures that could curb freedom and speech.

On his eighth trip to Florida since taking office, Harris did not name governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, but criticized it as a clear strategy to increase engagement between the Biden administration and the Republican Party. This strategy is reinforced by polls and surveys showing Americans’ opposition to banning books containing information on slavery and other issues.

DeSantis struck back on Friday, blaming Harris and the Democrats. Tweet He allegedly spread lies “to cover up their agenda” and told reporters in Utah that the vice president’s criticism of the Florida Board of Education was “absolutely ridiculous.”

Earlier in the day, the former California Attorney General adopted a prosecutorial stance that shines a light on the Biden administration’s efforts to stand up as a safeguard against what she calls a national extremist challenge to reclaim rights.

“If we are really investing in the well-being of our children, these extremists, so-called leaders, should follow what we know to be the right and right approach. Instead, they dare to push propaganda on our children.

Harris argued that both U.S. allies and enemies abroad knew the history of U.S. slavery, but argued that these proposals would prevent U.S. children from having the same knowledge.

“This is handicapping our children, who in this room become ignorant of their own history with the rest of the world,” she says.

As for the criteria themselves, Harris detailed the atrocities of slavery, where children were ripped from their mothers’ arms and treated subhumanly.

“How, then, in that context, could anyone suggest that there would be any benefit in being exposed to this level of dehumanization in the midst of such atrocities?” Harris asked.

Asked by CNN about the benchmark, DeSantis said he was “not involved.”

“Better talk to them about it. I didn’t. I wasn’t involved,” the governor said.

Mr. DeSantis, who was further pressed, said: “I think they’ll probably end up teaching some of the people who got into it as blacksmiths to do something later in life. But the reality is they’re all factual.

Harris has traveled the country over the summer to speak out in support of freedoms she and Democrats believe are being attacked by Republicans, including abortion and the right to education. The vice president appeared before Democratic supporters, including black voters, women and young people, to deliver his message.

Friday’s last-minute visit to Florida, which was only scheduled for Thursday night, marks the second time this year that she has made high-profile remarks aimed at condemning Republican rights attacks in the Sunshine State. To the mostly black crowd that gathered in Jacksonville’s historic Raville neighborhood, Harris said the government was listening to their concerns and responding quickly.

“You are not alone,” said Harris.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNN’s Kit Maher contributed to this report.

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