In a speech at the Jan. 6 location, Harris warns of the perils of another Trump presidency
Image Credit: Reuters
Democrat Kamala Harris addressed her largest-ever rally in Washington, where she warned the crowd of tens of thousands about Republican opponent Donald Trump’s alleged pursuit of unchecked power as the presidential race entered its final stretch.
On Tuesday evening, Harris addressed an outdoor gathering of more than 75,000 supporters near the White House. The location is notable as the site where Trump spoke to his supporters on January 6, 2021, before the Capitol riot.
“We know who Donald Trump is,” Harris said, recalling how Trump allegedly incited an armed mob to attack the Capitol to overturn his 2020 election loss. She described him as “unstable, obsessed with revenge, consumed with grievance, and out for unchecked power.” This event marked her campaign's closing argument ahead of the tight November 5 election.
Harris delivered her speech surrounded by American flags, with blue and white "FREEDOM" banners and the White House illuminated behind her. The audience included a diverse crowd of older citizens, college students, international visitors, and individuals from New York and nearby Virginia. Groups of women were notably prominent.
“We cannot go back to Trump’s divisive policies,” said Saul Schwartz, a retired federal worker from Alexandria, Virginia. Danielle Hoffmann from Staten Island, New York, expressed her admiration, calling Harris “real, powerful, and joyous.”
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday showed Harris's lead had narrowed to 44% over Trump's 43% among registered voters. Despite leading Trump in polling since her campaign launch in July, Harris's advantage has diminished since late September.
Trump has continued to downplay the violence of January 6, when thousands of his supporters stormed the Capitol after his rally at the Ellipse. His speech encouraged the crowd to “fight like hell” to prevent Congress from ratifying his electoral loss. Four people died in the riot, and a Capitol police officer died the next day. Trump has promised to pardon the more than 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the riot if reelected.
In her speech, Harris called for unity and urged Americans to "lock arms" rather than "point fingers."
Turning to foreign policy, Harris argued that Trump threatens national security, claiming he is easily manipulated by authoritarian leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “World leaders think Donald Trump is an easy mark,” she said, adding that autocrats “are rooting for him in this election.”
In Florida earlier that day, Trump sought to distance himself from offensive remarks made by allies at a recent New York rally. Trump characterized the event as “an absolute lovefest,” though he did not address a comedian’s inflammatory remarks about Puerto Ricans, Black Americans, Jewish people, Palestinians, and Latinos.
Simultaneously, Trump campaigned in a predominantly Hispanic city in Pennsylvania, aiming to court voters in this key battleground state. “I’d like to start with a simple question: Are you better off now than four years ago?” he asked, positioning himself as a hopeful option for all Americans.
More than 51 million Americans have already cast their ballots, as the election will determine who will lead the U.S. for the next four years. Harris, vying to become the first female president, and Trump, seeking a return to office, differ significantly on foreign policy, abortion rights, tax policy, and fundamental democratic principles.
In seven key battleground states, both candidates are in a close race. Trump has labeled Harris a dangerous candidate, criticizing her record on foreign policy and immigration during her time as vice president. He accused her of running “a campaign of hate and destruction,” while Harris has characterized Trump as a threat to democracy who would erode U.S. democratic values.
Paraphrasing text from "Reuters" all rights reserved by the original author.
