Harris Targets Trump & Unveils Policy Priorities In First Presidential Campaign Speech

On Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris officially launched her presidential campaign with a fiery speech to President Joe Biden‘s former campaign staff at the Wilmington, Delaware headquarters, marking her first public address as the likely Democratic nominee.

Before Harris spoke, Biden phoned in to address the staff, expressing his regret for not being able to attend in person due to his ongoing recovery from Covid-19.

The president fully endorsed Harris, pledging to stay involved in her campaign and advising his team: “Embrace her. She’s the best.”

“The name has changed at the top of the ticket, but the mission hasn’t changed at all,” said Biden. “And by the way, I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be out there on the campaign with her, with Kamala. I’m going to be working like hell – both as sitting president, getting legislation passed – as well as campaigning.”

When Harris took the stage, she acknowledged the campaign’s ups and downs, noting it’s been “a roller coaster and we’re all filled with so many mixed emotions about this.”

In her speech, she thanked Biden for his leadership and expressed her affection for both him and First Lady Jill Biden.

“Joe, I know you’re still on the call and we’ve been talking every day,” Harris said. “We love Joe and Jill. We really do. They truly are like family to us.”

Harris also announced that Biden’s top campaign officials, Jen O’Malley Dillon and Julie Chavez Rodriguez, will continue to lead her campaign.

Her speech then shifted into a preview of the 2024 campaign if she secures the nomination and a critique of former President Donald Trump, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Harris highlighted her background as California’s senator, its attorney general and a prosecutor, contrasting it with Trump’s background as a convicted felon.

“In those roles, I took on perpetrators of all kinds,” she said. “Predators who abused women. Fraudsters who ripped off consumers. Cheaters who broke the rules for their own game. So hear me when I say I know Donald Trump’s type!”

“We’re not going back,” she declared, prompting a thunderous applause from the crowd.

Harris clarified that her campaign “is not just about us vs. Donald Trump,” outlining her vision for America’s future: a place “where no child has to grow up in poverty, where every person can buy a home, start a family and build wealth, and where every person has access to paid family leave and affordable childcare.”

She outlined her presidential priorities, including passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, implementing gun control measures like universal background checks, “red flag laws” to prevent dangerous individuals from buying guns, and banning assault weapons.

The loudest applause came when Harris pledged to sign national legislation protecting abortion access, a top priority for Democrats.

“In this election, we know we each face a question: What kind of country do we want to live in? A country of freedom, compassion and rule of law, or a country of chaos, fear, and hate?” she asked.

“We have an election to win. So are you ready to get to work?” said Harris, before concluding, “God bless the United States of America and Joe Biden.”