After twice being pressed to do so in a Wednesday interview, Vice President Kamala Harris only sort of apologized to the families of victims killed by illegal immigrants let into the U.S. by the Biden-Harris administration — and immediately followed the apology with “but…” before launching into tired talking points about Donald Trump.

The moment came during the Democrat nominee’s “Special Report” interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier. After naming U.S. citizens who were allegedly “brutally assaulted and killed” by illegal aliens released by the administration into American communities, the network host asked Harris if she owes the families of these Americans “an apology.”

Baier specifically cited remarks issued by Bill Clinton earlier this week, in which the former president admitted that Laken Riley, a 22-year-old University of Georgia nursing student allegedly murdered by an illegal alien earlier this year, would still be alive had Biden-Harris properly vetted foreign nationals entering America.

While acknowledging there’s “no question” those deaths are “tragic cases,” Harris initially declined to issue an apology to the aforementioned families. Instead, she deflected by hyping a congressional bill introduced earlier this year that would have enshrined the ongoing border invasion into law.

“I can’t imagine the pain that the families of those victims have experienced for losses [that] should not have occurred,” Harris said. “So, that is true. It is also true that if a border security [bill] had actually been passed nine months ago … that [would have ensured] that no future harm would occur.”

Baier pressed Harris further, noting how the policy decision that led to those deaths was enacted “in the early part” of the Biden-Harris administration. He also played a clip of a mother — whose daughter Jocelyn Nungaray was purportedly killed by an illegal alien — testifying before Congress that the Biden-Harris administration’s border policies led to her child’s death.

“Do you owe them an apology?” Baier asked.

In response, Harris deployed the classic backhanded “I’m sorry but…”

“I’m so sorry for her loss. I’m so sorry for her loss, sincerely, but let’s talk about what is happening right now with an individual who does not want to participate in solutions. Let’s talk about that,” Harris said, turning her “apology” into an attack on Donald Trump.

When asked by Baier if she wanted to answer the mother who testified, Harris deflected, saying, “I told you, I feel awful for what she and her family have experienced.”

Wednesday’s interview wasn’t the first instance Harris has stood by the administration’s disastrous border policies. During a Univision town hall last week, the vice president doubled down on continuing such horrific policies if elected this November.

Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood