Washington (Web Desk/Agencies): US Vice President Kamala Harris officially conceded the 2024 presidential race on Wednesday during her address to supporters at Howard University.
In her remarks, Harris congratulated President-elect Donald Trump and reaffirmed her commitment to a peaceful transition of power, emphasizing the importance of upholding the nation's democratic values.
“It is a fundamental principle of democracy that when we lose, we accept the outcome,” Harris told the crowd, stressing the significance of gracefully accepting electoral results.
Her message stood in stark contrast to former President Trump's response in 2020, highlighting her unwavering dedication to the Constitution and the principles her campaign championed.
She promised that, while her own campaign had ended, the fight for the causes she believes in would continue.
Harris urged her supporters to respond with resolve rather than despair, saying, "This is not a time to give up. It’s a time to roll up our sleeves and keep fighting for what we believe in."
The US vice president confirmed she had spoken with President-elect Trump earlier in the day to congratulate him on his victory. "I told him we will do everything we can to ensure a smooth transition," she added. "We are committed to supporting his team in this process and ensuring a peaceful transfer of power."
In her speech, Harris also called for ongoing engagement in the political process. “Stay involved,” she urged, “for the sake of freedom and justice. Our work doesn’t stop here. It will continue in the voting booth, in the courts, and in the public square."
Harris, who made history as the first Black and South Asian woman to secure a major party's presidential nomination, had focused her campaign on issues like economic stability and reproductive rights. However, despite a strong push from women voters, especially in the wake of the 2022 rollback of abortion rights, voter concerns over inflation and immigration ultimately tipped key battleground states in Trump's favour.
In Michigan, where Trump made significant inroads with Arab American and Muslim voters, he claimed a decisive victory. Many in these communities, especially in Dearborn—home to the largest Arab American population in the U.S.—shifted support to Trump, citing frustration with the Biden-Harris administration's handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict. This marked a dramatic change from 2020, when Biden had carried the state.
Ending her speech, Harris offered a message of hope and encouragement to younger voters. "Don’t give up," she said. "You have the power to make extraordinary change."
The vice president concluded by thanking her family, especially her husband, Doug Emhoff, for their unwavering support throughout the campaign.
Trump’s victory not only secured him a second term but also gave the Republican Party a notable edge in Congress.
The Grand Old Party (GOP) has already reclaimed the Senate, with a 52-43 majority, and is leading in the race for the House, with Republicans currently holding 201 seats to the Democrats’ 181. The GOP needs 218 seats to claim full control of the House.
Despite facing multiple criminal charges and convictions in New York related to hush money payments, Donal Trump will be sworn in for a second term on January 20, 2025. Vice President Kamala Harris will preside over the inauguration, continuing her role as second-in-command during this historic transition.
