WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris presented her closing arguments in a speech on Washington, D.C.’s Ellipse on Tuesday, urging American’s to turn the page on the chaos of the Trump era and begin a new way forward.
Standing with the White House lit up in the night behind her, Harris presented her vision for the future of America and contrasted it with Donald Trump, saying next week’s election is a vote for the future of America and Trump’s era of division is not who the country is.
“This is someone who is unstable, obsessed with revenge, consumed with grievance and out for unchecked power. Donald Trump has spent a decade trying to keep the American people divided and afraid of each other,” she said.
She slammed Trump’s “enemy within” comments that he used to describe political opponents, saying he is “consumed with grievance.”
“I don’t believe people who disagree with me are the enemy,” she said. “He wants to put them in jail. I’ll give them a seat at the table.”
“We have to stop pointing fingers and start locking arms. It is time to turn the page on the drama and the conflict, the fear and division. It is time for a new generation of leadership in America,” Harris said.
40,000 people were expected to attend the event, according to an approved permit from the National Park Service but the Harris campaign confirmed that over 75,000 people were in attendance at the Ellipse and the National Mall combined.
According to the campaign, Harris wanted to use the speech to paint Trump as someone who is consumed by his grievances and an endless desire to get revenge on his enemies.
“Donald Trump intends to use the United States military against American citizens who simply disagree with him — people he calls ‘the enemy from within.’ This is not a candidate for president who is thinking about how to make your life better,” she said.
Harris promised to “seek common ground” and “always put country above party,” pledging that he would put a desire to “make progress” over scoring “political points.”
Harris’ remarks come just seven days before voters head to the polls to make their decision on who they want to serve in the White House for the next four years.
“I’m not perfect. I make mistakes. But here’s what I promise you. I will always listen to you. Even if you don’t vote for me. I will always tell you the truth, even if it’s difficult to hear,” Harris said.
