Washington (Web Desk/Agencies): Democrat Kamala Harris delivered a powerful speech at a rally in Washington on Tuesday, cautioning the crowd of over 75,000 that her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, seeks unchecked power as the presidential race enters its final week. The event took place near the White House, a location marked by Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech before the Capitol attack.
“We know who Donald Trump is,” Harris asserted, recalling how he incited an “armed mob” to contest the results of the 2020 election. She characterized him as "unstable, obsessed with revenge, consumed with grievance, and out for unchecked power," positioning her remarks as a critical closing argument ahead of the November 5 election.
According to the Election Hub at the University of Florida, more than 53 million Americans have already participated in the voting process, with the results set to influence leadership for the next four years in the world’s most powerful nation.
Harris spoke against a backdrop of American flags and “FREEDOM” banners, with a brightly lit White House behind her.
The diverse audience included older individuals, college students, and attendees from various regions, including New York and Virginia. Many of the women were gathered in groups, highlighting a sense of solidarity.
“It’s crucial we don’t revert to the disastrous policies of President Trump,” stated Saul Schwartz, a former federal employee from Alexandria, Virginia.
Danielle Hoffmann from Staten Island expressed her admiration for Harris, stating, “She is everything that I always wanted in a president. She is joyous. She is real, she is powerful. And she is a woman.” Addressing the men in attendance, she added, “It's time for you guys... to take a backseat because we're driving right now,” noting that her husband supports Trump.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed Harris’s lead narrowing to 44% against Trump’s 43% among registered voters. Although she has led Trump in polls since entering the race in July, her advantage has decreased since late September.
Trump and his allies have attempted to downplay the violence of January 6, when his supporters stormed the Capitol, prompting lawmakers to flee for their lives after he urged them to “fight like hell” against the certification of his electoral loss. The riot resulted in four fatalities, including that of a police officer the following day. Trump has pledged to pardon those charged if he regains the presidency.
Harris concluded her speech with a call for unity: “We have to stop pointing fingers and start locking arms,” urging Americans to transcend their divisions.
"New York rally an absolute lovefest"
In Florida earlier that day, Trump sought to distance himself from the inflammatory remarks made by some of his supporters during a rally in New York on Sunday.
He chose not to address the comments from speakers at the event, where comedian Tony Hinchcliffe labeled Puerto Rico a "floating island of garbage" and made derogatory statements about Black Americans, Jewish individuals, Palestinians, and Latinos.
While Trump's campaign had previously claimed that the comments regarding Puerto Rico did not align with his views, he referred to the New York gathering on Tuesday as "an absolute lovefest," expressing his honor in being part of it.
President Joe Biden drew criticism from Trump’s campaign for his comments regarding the Sunday rally during a fundraising call. According to a transcript shared by a White House spokesperson on X, Biden stated: "The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters'—his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable and un-American."
Several media outlets reported the same quote, although some omitted the apostrophe.
Later, Biden clarified on X: "Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by
Trump's supporters at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage—which is the only word I can think of to describe it. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That's all I meant to say. The comments at that rally don't reflect who we are as a nation."
Engaging Hispanic Voters
As Harris spoke in Washington, Trump made his way to a largely Hispanic city in Pennsylvania, just two days after Hinchcliffe's comments provoked backlash at the New York rally.
The U.S. Census Bureau indicates that Puerto Ricans represent the largest Hispanic demographic in Pennsylvania, a critical state holding the highest Electoral College votes among the seven battleground states pivotal for the election.
“I’d like to begin with a very, very simple question: Are you better off now than you were four years ago? I’m here today with a message of hope for all Americans,” Trump declared.
Harris, aiming to become the first female president, and Trump, looking to return to office after his term from 2017 to 2021, have starkly different views on support for Ukraine and NATO, abortion rights, taxation, fundamental democratic principles, and tariffs that could spark trade disputes.
On tariffs, Trump explicitly targeted the European Union on Tuesday, asserting, "They're brutal. They sell millions and millions of cars in the United States. No, no, no, they are going to have to pay a big price."