Democratic Nominee Vows to Prosecute Trump in Passionate Convention Speech
Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday with a powerful speech, promising to prosecute the case against Donald Trump and lead the country towards a brighter and fairer future.
In a speech balancing optimism with sharp criticism of her opponent, Harris acknowledged her “unlikely” path to the nomination and extended an invitation to voters of all political ideologies who believe in America’s promise. If elected, Harris would make history as the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first Asian American woman to serve as president. Instead, she focused on the change this election could bring to the nation.
“With this election, our nation has a fleeting opportunity to move beyond the bitterness and divisive battles of the past and chart a new course forward—not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans,” Harris said to thousands of Democrats in Chicago.
Amidst roaring applause, she declared, “On behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth, I accept your nomination for president of the United States of America.”
Harris’s speech came just a month after she launched her campaign following Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race. With Biden’s endorsement, Harris quickly consolidated Democratic support, securing the nomination. Polls now show her slightly ahead of Trump in key battleground states.
Throughout her address, Harris contrasted herself with Trump, warning that his return to the White House would revive the “chaos and calamity” of his first term. She criticized Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, blaming him for the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, and reminded voters of his numerous legal battles since leaving office.
“Imagine the power he will wield, especially after the Supreme Court ruled he would be immune from criminal prosecution,” Harris warned. “Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails, using the immense powers of the presidency—not to improve your life or strengthen national security, but to serve himself.”
She then led the packed crowd in a chant of “We’re not going back!”—a recurring theme in her recent rallies.
The speech marked Harris’s most significant opportunity to define herself to voters. While she served as vice-president under Biden for four years and as a US senator from California, polls suggest voters’ opinions about her are still forming. Trump has attempted to brand Harris as a “radical” Democrat, mocking her as “Comrade Kamala,” but has struggled to effectively attack her.
Speaking to a national audience, Harris presented herself as a “realistic” and “practical” leader who would rely on her prosecutorial background to govern with common sense and equality. She credited her sense of justice to her mother, Shyamala Harris, a scientist who emigrated from India at age 19.
“She was tough, courageous, a trailblazer in women’s health, and she taught Maya and me a lesson that Michelle [Obama] mentioned: to never complain about injustice but to do something about it,” Harris said.
In a campaign characterized as a contest between personality and policy, Harris sought to intertwine both. After highlighting her record as a prosecutor fighting for “women and children against predators,” she discussed the plight of women suffering due to restricted abortion access, directly blaming Trump, who appointed three justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.
“This is happening in our country because of Donald Trump,” Harris stated. “And he’s not done. He and his allies want to limit birth control access, ban medication abortion, and enact a nationwide abortion ban. Simply put, they are out of their minds.”
While Harris was sometimes vague on policy details, particularly on pledges to build “an opportunity economy” and “end America’s housing shortage,” she was more specific on foreign policy. She vowed to “stand strong with Ukraine” and criticized Trump for his relationships with autocrats.
“I won’t cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong-un, who are rooting for Trump because they know he’s easy to manipulate with flattery and favors,” Harris said. “As president, I will never waver in defending America’s security and ideals because, in the enduring struggle between democracy and tyranny, I know where I stand.”
Harris also addressed her stance on the war in Gaza, condemning the Hamas attacks against Israel and mourning the “innocent lives lost” in Gaza while affirming support for Israel’s right to self-defense. She rejected calls for an arms embargo against Israel.
“President Biden and I are working to secure a hostage deal and ceasefire,” Harris said. “We aim to end this war so that Israel is secure, hostages are released, suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination.”
While her call for Palestinian self-determination was met with strong applause, it remains uncertain whether it will satisfy ceasefire advocates, many of whom protested in Chicago this week.
Harris will need broad support in November as the presidential race remains highly competitive despite her recent gains. The coming days will reveal whether her speech will help expand her lead.
