US Election: Harris Says Trump Wants ‘Unchecked Power’
As the countdown to the pivotal US presidential election enters its final week, polls indicate a razor-thin race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, each vying for critical battleground states. With only seven days remaining, both candidates are making aggressive efforts to rally their bases and sway undecided voters.
During a campaign rally at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., Kamala Harris delivered a powerful speech denouncing Trump as a threat to democracy. She characterized him as “unstable” and “obsessed with revenge,” warning that he seeks “unchecked power” if elected. Harris drew a stark line between herself and Trump, stating, “We know who Donald Trump is… This is someone who is unstable, consumed with grievance, and out for unchecked power.” She reminded the audience of the events of January 6, 2021, when Trump incited a mob to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power, and asserted, “Trump has spent a decade trying to keep the American people divided and afraid of each other.”
The rally attracted a crowd of approximately 75,000 attendees, according to organizers, emphasizing the urgency of Harris’s message as she made her closing argument. Harris vowed to prioritize the country over partisan politics, urging Americans to unite against divisive rhetoric. This event is particularly significant, as it takes place at the same site where Trump rallied his supporters before the Capitol attack, marking a symbolic confrontation of ideologies.
In a sharp rebuttal to Harris’s claims, Trump’s campaign labeled her speech as “backward-looking.” Campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt criticized Harris for focusing on past grievances instead of current issues, saying, “Kamala Harris is lying, name-calling, and clinging to the past to avoid admitting the truth — the migrant crime crisis, sky-high inflation, and raging world wars are the result of her terrible policies.” Trump’s focus has also been on economic issues, as he vowed to impose hefty tariffs on imports, particularly targeting the European Union and China, in a bid to protect American jobs.
At a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump warned that the European Union would face severe tariffs if they continued to buy less from American exporters, stating, “They are going to have to pay a big price.” His proposal includes a blanket 10% tariff on imports from all countries and a striking 60% on Chinese goods. Economists have raised concerns that such measures could disrupt global supply chains and provoke retaliatory actions from affected countries.
President Joe Biden has found himself embroiled in controversy over comments made during a video call with VotoLatino, in which he seemingly referred to Trump supporters as “garbage.” While Biden clarified that his remarks were aimed at Trump’s rhetoric rather than his followers, the comments have been seized upon by Trump’s campaign, which has branded them as “disgusting.” The White House emphasized Biden’s condemnation of hate speech rather than targeting individual supporters.
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Meanwhile, former First Lady Michelle Obama took to the campaign trail in Georgia, rallying voters to overcome apathy and exercise their electoral power. Speaking to a crowd of over 2,000, she stressed the importance of participation in a tightly contested election, reminding attendees that the last presidential election in Georgia was decided by fewer than 12,000 votes. “If they respond by saying that they can’t trust the government or that all politicians are the same, ask them where they’re hearing that nonsense from,” Obama urged, highlighting the need for informed decision-making.
In other developments, the US Supreme Court rejected Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s attempt to be removed from the ballot in Michigan and Wisconsin, despite his endorsement of Trump and suspension of his campaign. This decision could impact the electoral landscape in two crucial states.
As both candidates make their final pitches, the stakes are incredibly high, not just for the candidates but for the future direction of the nation. With the electorate sharply divided, this election may ultimately hinge on turnout and the ability to motivate voters to engage in a democracy that Harris insists is at risk.
