Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday described former President Donald Trump as “not serious” but warned that there would be “serious” risks to the country if he were to run for another term.
In her speech on the final day of the Democratic National Convention, Harris reminded the American people of Trump’s attempts to derail the 2020 presidential election and his role in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and urged voters to prevent a repeat of the chaos of the Trump era.
“In many ways, Donald Trump is not serious,” Harris said. “But the implications of bringing Donald Trump back into the White House are very serious. Think about the chaos and the disaster he caused while he was in office, but also the gravity of what has happened since he lost the last election.”
Harris also cited a recent Supreme Court ruling that Trump should enjoy immunity from prosecution for “official” acts while in office, a ruling the vice president said would make Trump feel even more empowered to take steps to advance his own selfish priorities once he returns to the White House.
“Imagine how Donald Trump would use the extraordinary powers of the President of the United States without any safeguards,” Harris said. “Not to improve your life, not to strengthen our national security, but to serve the only client he has: himself.”
Harris sought to contrast Trump, saying she would govern for all Americans and that this election was an opportunity for the country to “move beyond the bitterness, cynicism and division of the past and chart a new path forward.”
Harris’ convention speech has been described as the most important of her career, but she had no intention of giving it until President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the race and endorsed her about five weeks ago.
Biden dropped out amid pressure from his party colleagues to pass the torch to the next generation, amid concerns that he might not be able to serve another four years after a poor debate performance and struggling to write full sentences.
Harris acknowledged that her journey to the nomination has been somewhat unconventional, but said she was prepared for the moment, noting that her mother moved from India to California when she was 19.
“The road that has led me here in recent weeks has undoubtedly been unexpected,” she said. “But I am used to unexpected journeys.”
Harris’ campaign has generated enthusiasm and energy, as reflected in the polls, but Democrats, including her running mate Tim Walz, are warning voters not to get complacent.
“It’s the fourth quarter,” Walls said Wednesday. “We lost a field goal. But we’re on offense. We’re running down the field. And, my goodness, we have the right team to win.”
