Oct. 29 (UPI) — Vice President Kamala Harris issued her “closing argument” Tuesday evening, with seven days before the Nov. 5 general election, in a speech at the Ellipse outside the White House in Washington, D.C., where she attacked former President Donald Trump and vowed to bring the country together.
“One week from today, you will have the chance to make a decision that directly impacts your lives, the lives of your family and the future of this country we love,” Harris said, as she opened her speech, “and it will probably be the most important vote you will ever cast.”
Harris spoke to thousands of supporters after taking the stage at 7:37 p.m. EDT, and reminded the crowd during her 30-minute address that Trump had stood at that “very spot” on Jan. 6, 2021, before the riot at the U.S. Capitol following the 2020 presidential election that still reverberates today.
“I want to talk to everyone about the stakes and the choice in this election,” Harris said, as she listed the reasons Trump should not be elected president.
“He is the person who stood at this spot four years ago and sent a mob to the U.S. Capitol to overturn the will of the people in an election that he knew he lost.”
Harris also claimed that Trump’s priority for a second term would include an “enemy list.”
“America, he is not a candidate who is thinking about your life. This is someone who is unstable and out for unchecked power. America, I am here tonight to say that is not who we are,” the vice president said, as the crowd cheered.
“The fact that someone disagrees with us does not make us the ‘enemy within,'” Harris said in reference to Trump’s statements about the current administration. “It is time to stop pointing fingers and start locking arms.”
“Even though I’ve had the honor of serving as your vice president, I know you are still getting to know me,” Harris admitted, as she discussed her upbringing and work.
“I have spent most of my career outside of Washington, D.C.,” Harris said, as she talked about her time as a prosecutor “against predators who abused women and children. And I did this work, because for as long as I can remember, I have always had this instinct to protect.”
Harris admitted she’s “not perfect” and “makes mistakes,” but vowed to “work everyday to build consensus and reach compromise to get things done.”
“In less than 90 days, either Donald Trump or I will be in the Oval Office. On day one, if elected, Donald Trump would walk into that office with an ‘enemies list.’ If elected, I will walk in with a ‘to do’ list and I will work with everyone to help Americans.”
During her speech, Harris distanced herself from President Joe Biden, as she promised to be a “different president” and vowed to lower costs for hard-working Americans who are struggling with inflation.
“I will enact the first federal ban on price gouging on groceries,” Harris promised. “I will fight to make sure all Americans have an affordable place to live. I will help first-time homebuyers with a down payment.”
While economists are split on whether price gouging would quell inflation, Trump — who was holding a competing rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday night — has claimed higher prices are a product of the Biden administration’s spending and that price gouging would amount to “communist price control.”
In addressing rising costs for families, Harris also vowed to allow Medicare to cover the costs of home care for the elderly, and “I will work to lower the cost of child care that for many families is out of reach,” she added, before turning to abortion.
“I believe that Americans should make their own decisions about their own bodies. I will restore what Donald Trump and his hand-picked Supreme Court took away from America,” Harris vowed, as she claimed, “He would ban abortion nationwide and force states to monitor women’s pregnancies,” in reference to Project 2025, which Trump has consistently disavowed.
Harris moved on to the topic of immigration, which has been an important issue in this election, as she blamed Trump for the border crisis.
“I will work with Democrats and Republicans to sign into law the immigration bill that Trump killed,” Harris promised. “We must acknowledge we are a nation of immigrants,” as she called for a path to citizenship.
Harris also blasted Trump and what his presidency would mean for America’s security around the world.
“World leaders think Trump is an easy mark,” she claimed. “We must remain and always be a champion for around the world. As commander-in-chief, I will make sure America has the strongest and most lethal military force in the world.”
“I will strengthen, not surrender, America’s global leadership. I know our alliances keep Americans safe and keep America more secure,” Harris said, calling Trump the candidate of “chaos.”
“I offer a different path and I ask for your vote. And here is my pledge to you. I pledge to seek common ground to make your life better.”
“I pledge to listen to experts and to those who disagree with me. Unlike Donald Trump, I don’t believe those who disagree are the enemy. He wants to put them in jail. I will give them a seat at the table,” Harris said.
“I will always put country above party and self. I love our country with all my heart and I believe in its promise because I’ve lived it. I’ve spent my life fighting for the people who have been hurt and counted out. I see the promise of America in all of you,” Harris said, as she made a specific appeal to young voters, women, the “men who support them” and “Republicans who have never voted for a Democrat before.”
“So America, let us reach for that future,” Harris said in closing. “Let us fight for this beautiful country we love and in seven days we have the power to turn the page and start writing the next chapter in the most extraordinary story ever today.”