Watch and Read Kamala Harris’s DNC Speech

Vice President Kamala Harris made historical past on Thursday (Aug. 22, 2024) as the primary girl of colour to just accept the presidential nomination of a significant occasion when she delivered a speech closing out the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

Harris, who changed President Biden on the high of the ticket just some weeks in the past, delivered a forceful handle to delegates in Chicago laying out her argument for the White Home. She started by reintroducing herself to the nation and reciting her biography earlier than tying her story to her imaginative and prescient for the nation and warning in regards to the risks of returning former President Donald Trump to the presidency.

“With this election, our nation has a valuable, fleeting alternative to maneuver previous the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the previous. An opportunity to chart a brand new method ahead,” she mentioned. “Not as members of anybody occasion or faction. However as Individuals.”

Learn Harris’s speech’s full transcript as delivered, and watch the speech above.

Good night. Good night, everybody. Good night. Thanks all. We have to get to some enterprise. Thanks, thanks, thanks. OK, let’s get to enterprise.

Let me begin by thanking my most unimaginable husband, Doug, for being an unimaginable companion to me and being an unimaginable father to Cole and Ella. And completely satisfied anniversary, Dougie. I really like you so very a lot.

To our president, Joe Biden — once I take into consideration the trail that we have now traveled collectively, Joe, I’m stuffed with gratitude. Your file is extraordinary, as historical past will present, and your character is inspiring. And Doug and I really like you and Jill and are without end grateful to you each.

And to Coach Tim Walz, you’re going to be an unimaginable vp.

And to the delegates and everybody who has put your religion in our marketing campaign, your assist is humbling.

So, America, the trail that led me right here in latest weeks, was little question sudden. However I am no stranger to unlikely journeys.

My mom, our mom, Shyamala Harris had one among her personal, and I miss her day-after-day, and particularly proper now. And I do know she’s wanting down smiling. I do know that.

So my mom was 19 when she crossed the world alone, touring from India to California with an unshakeable dream to be the scientist who would treatment breast most cancers.

When she completed college, she was speculated to return house to a standard organized marriage. However, as destiny would have it, she met my father, Donald Harris, a scholar from Jamaica. They fell in love. And acquired married. And that act of self-determination made my sister Maya and me.

Rising up, we moved rather a lot. I’ll all the time do not forget that large Mayflower truck, filled with all our belongings, able to go. To Illinois. To Wisconsin. And wherever our mother and father’ jobs took us.

My early recollections of my mother and father collectively are joyful ones. A house stuffed with laughter and music. Aretha. Coltrane. And Miles.

On the park, my mom would say, keep shut. However my father would say, as he smiled, “Run, Kamala. Run. Do not be afraid. Do not let something cease you.” From my earliest years, he taught me to be fearless.

However the concord between my mother and father didn’t final. Once I was in elementary college, they cut up up. And it was principally my mom who raised us.

Earlier than she might lastly afford to purchase a house, she rented a small condominium within the East Bay. Within the Bay, you both dwell within the hills or the flatlands. We lived within the flats. An attractive working-class neighborhood of firefighters, nurses and development staff. All who tended their lawns with pleasure.

My mom, she labored lengthy hours. And, like many working mother and father, she leaned on a trusted circle to assist elevate us. Mrs. Shelton, who ran the daycare under us and have become a second mom. Uncle Sherman. Aunt Mary. Uncle Freddy. Auntie Chris.

None of them household by blood. And all of them household by love. Household who taught us learn how to make gumbo. The right way to play chess. And generally even allow us to win. Household who beloved us. Believed in us. And advised us we may very well be something and do something.

They instilled in us the values they personified. Group. Religion. And the significance of treating others as you’ll need to be handled. With kindness. Respect. And compassion.

My mom, was an excellent, five-foot-tall, brown girl with an accent. And, because the eldest baby, I noticed how the world would generally deal with her.

However my mom by no means misplaced her cool. She was robust. Brave. A trailblazer within the struggle for ladies’s well being.

And he or she taught Maya and me a lesson that Michelle talked about the opposite night time. She taught us to by no means complain about injustice. However do one thing about it. Do one thing about it. THat was my mom.

She additionally taught us, and by no means do something half-assed. And that may be a direct quote. A direct quote.

I grew up immersed within the beliefs of the Civil Rights Motion. My mother and father had met at a civil rights gathering. And so they made positive that we discovered about civil rights leaders, together with the legal professionals like Thurgood Marshall and Constance Baker Motley. Those that battled within the courtroom to make actual the promise of America.

So, at a younger age, I made a decision I wished to do this work. I wished to be a lawyer.

And when it got here time to decide on the kind of legislation I’d pursue, I mirrored on a pivotal second in my life.

You see, once I was in highschool, I began to note one thing about my finest pal Wanda. She was unhappy at college. And there have been instances she did not need to go house. So, sooner or later, I requested if the whole lot was alright. And he or she confided in me that she was being sexually abused by her step-father. And I instantly advised her she needed to come stick with us. And he or she did.

That is likely one of the causes I grew to become a prosecutor. To guard folks like Wanda.

As a result of I consider everybody has a proper to security, to dignity and to justice.

As a prosecutor, once I had a case, I charged it not within the title of the sufferer. However within the title of “The Individuals.”

For a easy motive. In our system of justice, a hurt in opposition to any one among us is a hurt in opposition to all of us.

I’d usually clarify this to console survivors of crime. To remind them: Nobody ought to be made to struggle alone. We’re all on this collectively.

And day-after-day within the courtroom, I stood proudly earlier than a decide and I mentioned 5 phrases: “Kamala Harris, for the folks.”

And to be clear: My total profession, I’ve solely had one consumer. The folks.

And so, on behalf of the folks, on behalf of each American, no matter occasion, race, gender, or the language your grandmother speaks. On behalf of my mom and everybody who has ever set out on their very own unlikely journey. On behalf of Individuals just like the folks I grew up with. Individuals who work onerous. Chase their desires. And look out for each other. On behalf of everybody whose story might solely be written within the best nation on Earth.

I settle for your nomination to be president of america of America.

And with this election, our nation has a valuable, fleeting alternative to maneuver previous the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the previous. An opportunity to chart a brand new method ahead.

Not as members of anybody occasion or faction. However as Individuals.

And let me say, I do know there are folks of varied political opinions watching tonight. And I need you to know: I promise to be a president for all Individuals. You may all the time belief me to place nation above occasion and self. To carry sacred America’s basic ideas. From the rule of legislation. To free and honest elections. To the peaceable switch of energy.

I can be a president who unites us round our highest aspirations. A president who leads. And listens. Who’s reasonable. Sensible. And has widespread sense. And all the time fights for the American folks.

From the courthouse to the White Home, that has been my life’s work.

As a younger courtroom prosecutor in Oakland, California, I stood up for ladies and youngsters in opposition to predators who abused them.

As lawyer basic of California, I took on the large banks. Delivered $20 billion for middle-class households who confronted foreclosures. And helped cross a home-owner Invoice of Rights, one of many first of its sort.

I stood up for veterans and college students being scammed by large for-profit schools. For staff who have been being cheated out of their wages, the wages they have been due. For seniors going through elder abuse.

I fought in opposition to cartels who visitors in weapons, medication and human beings. Who threaten the safety of our border and the security of our communities.

And I’ll inform you, these fights weren’t straightforward. And neither have been the elections that put me in these places of work.

We have been underestimated at virtually each flip. However we by no means gave up. As a result of the long run is all the time value preventing for. And that is the struggle we’re in proper now. A struggle for America’s future.

Fellow Individuals, this election is just not solely a very powerful of our lives. It is likely one of the most vital within the lifetime of our nation.

In some ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man. However the penalties of placing Donald Trump again within the White Home are extraordinarily critical.

Take into account not solely the chaos and calamity when he was in workplace, but in addition the gravity of what has occurred since he misplaced the final election.

Donald Trump tried to throw away your votes. When he failed, he despatched an armed mob to america Capitol, the place they assaulted legislation enforcement officers. When politicians in his personal occasion begged him to name off the mob and ship assist, he did the other. He fanned the flames.

And now, for a completely completely different set of crimes, he was discovered responsible of fraud by a jury of on a regular basis Individuals. And individually, discovered chargeable for committing sexual abuse.

And take into account what he intends to do if we give him energy once more.

Take into account his specific intent to let loose violent extremists who assaulted these legislation enforcement officers on the Capitol. His specific intent to jail journalists, political opponents and anybody he sees because the enemy.

His specific intent to deploy our active-duty navy in opposition to our personal residents. Take into account the ability he can have, particularly after america Supreme Court docket simply dominated that he could be immune from prison prosecution.

Simply think about Donald Trump with no guardrails. And the way he would use the immense powers of the presidency of america. To not enhance your life. To not strengthen our nationwide safety. However to serve the one consumer he has ever had: Himself.

And we all know what a second Trump time period would appear to be. It is all specified by Undertaking 2025. Written by his closest advisers. And its sum complete is to tug our nation again into the previous. However America, we aren’t going again. We’re not going again. We’re not going again.

We’re not going again to when Donald Trump tried to chop Social Safety and Medicare. We’re not going again to when he tried to do away with the Inexpensive Care Act. When insurance coverage firms might deny folks with pre-existing situations. We’re not going to let him get rid of the Division of Schooling that funds our public colleges. We’re not going to let him finish packages like Head Begin that present preschool and baby take care of our kids.

America, we aren’t going again.

We’re charting a brand new method ahead.

Ahead to a future with a powerful and rising center class. As a result of we all know a powerful center class has all the time been important to America’s success. And constructing that center class can be a defining objective of my presidency.

And I am going to inform you, that is private for me. The center class is the place I come from.

My mom saved a strict finances. We lived inside our means. But, we wished for little. And he or she anticipated us to benefit from the alternatives that have been out there to us. And to be thankful for them. As a result of alternative is just not out there to everybody. That is why we are going to create what I name a possibility financial system. A chance financial system the place everybody has an opportunity to compete and an opportunity to succeed. Whether or not you reside in a rural space, small city or large metropolis.

And as president, I’ll convey collectively labor and staff, and small enterprise house owners, and entrepreneurs, and American firms.

To create jobs. To develop our financial system. And decrease the price of on a regular basis wants. Like well being care. Housing. And groceries.

We are going to present entry to capital for small enterprise house owners, entrepreneurs, and founders. And we are going to finish America’s housing scarcity, and shield Social Safety and Medicare.

Now evaluate that to Donald Trump. As a result of I feel everybody right here is aware of, He would not truly struggle for the center class. As an alternative, he fights for himself and his billionaire associates. And he’ll give them one other spherical of tax breaks that can add as much as $5 trillion to the nationwide debt.

And all of the whereas he intends to enact what, in impact, is a nationwide gross sales tax — name it a Trump tax — that may elevate costs on middle-class households by virtually $4,000 a 12 months.

Nicely, as a substitute of a Trump tax hike, we are going to cross a center class tax lower that can profit greater than 100 million Individuals.

Mates, I consider America can’t really be affluent until Individuals are totally in a position to make their very own choices about their very own lives. Particularly on issues of coronary heart and residential. However tonight, too many ladies in America usually are not in a position to make these choices.

And let’s be clear about how we acquired right here. Donald Trump hand-picked members of america Supreme Court docket to remove reproductive freedom. And now he brags about it. His phrases: “I did it, and I am proud to have achieved it.”

Nicely, I am going to inform you, over the previous two years, I’ve traveled throughout our nation, and girls have advised me their tales. Husbands and fathers have shared theirs. Tales of ladies miscarrying in a parking zone. Growing sepsis. Shedding the power to ever once more have kids, all as a result of medical doctors are afraid they might go to jail for caring for his or her sufferers. {Couples} simply making an attempt to develop their household, lower off in the midst of IVF therapies. Kids who’ve survived sexual assault, probably compelled to hold a being pregnant to time period. That is what is going on in our nation. Due to Donald Trump. And perceive he’s not achieved.

As part of his agenda, he and his allies would restrict entry to contraception, ban medicine abortion and enact a nationwide abortion ban with or with out Congress. And get this, he plans to create a nationwide anti-abortion coordinator, and power states to report on girls’s miscarriages and abortions. Merely put, they’re out of their minds.

And one should ask: Why precisely is it that they do not belief girls?

Nicely, we belief girls. We belief girls.

And when Congress passes a invoice to revive reproductive freedom, as president of america, I’ll proudly signal it into legislation.

On this election, many different basic freedoms are at stake. The liberty to dwell secure from gun violence in our colleges, communities and locations of worship. The liberty to like who you like overtly and with pleasure. The liberty to breathe clear air, and drink clear water and dwell free from the air pollution that fuels the local weather disaster. And the liberty that unlocks all of the others: the liberty to vote.

With this election, we lastly have the chance to cross the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act.

And let me be clear. And let me be clear. After many years in legislation enforcement, I do know the significance of security and safety, particularly at our border. Final 12 months, Joe and I introduced collectively Democrats and conservative Republicans to jot down the strongest border invoice in many years. The Border Patrol endorsed it.

However Donald Trump believes a border deal would damage his marketing campaign. So he ordered his allies in Congress to kill the deal.

Nicely, I refuse to play politics with our safety. And right here is my pledge to you: As president, I’ll convey again the bipartisan border safety invoice that he killed, and I’ll signal it into legislation.

I do know we are able to dwell as much as our proud heritage as a nation of immigrants and reform our damaged immigration system. We are able to create an earned pathway to citizenship and safe our border.

And America, we should even be steadfast in advancing our safety and values overseas.

As vp, I’ve confronted threats to our safety, negotiated with overseas leaders, strengthened our alliances and engaged with our courageous troops abroad.

As commander in chief, I’ll guarantee America all the time has the strongest, most deadly preventing power on this planet. And I’ll fulfill our sacred obligation to take care of our troops and their households. And I’ll all the time honor, and by no means disparage, their service and their sacrifice.

I’ll be sure that we lead the world into the long run on house and synthetic intelligence. That America — not China — wins the competitors for the twenty first century. And that we strengthen — not abdicate — our world management.

Trump, however, threatened to desert NATO. He inspired Putin to invade our allies. Mentioned Russia might “do regardless of the hell they need.” 5 days earlier than Russia attacked Ukraine, I met with President Zelenskyy to warn him about Russia’s plan to invade.

I helped mobilize a worldwide response — over 50 nations — to defend in opposition to Putin’s aggression. And as president, I’ll stand sturdy with Ukraine and our NATO allies.

With respect to the warfare in Gaza, President Biden and I are working across the clock, as a result of now could be the time to get a hostage deal and a cease-fire achieved.

And let me be clear: I’ll all the time get up for Israel’s proper to defend itself and I’ll all the time guarantee Israel has the power to defend itself. As a result of the folks of Israel mustn’t ever once more face the horror that the terrorist group known as Hamas prompted on Oct. 7. Together with unspeakable sexual violence and the bloodbath of younger folks at a music pageant.

On the identical time, what has occurred in Gaza over the previous 10 months is devastating. So many harmless lives misplaced. Determined, hungry folks fleeing for security, over and over. The dimensions of struggling is heartbreaking. President Biden and I are working to finish this warfare such that Israel is safe, the hostages are launched, the struggling in Gaza ends and the Palestinian folks can notice their proper to dignity, safety, freedom and self-determination.

And know this: I’ll by no means hesitate to take no matter motion is critical to defend our forces and our pursuits in opposition to Iran and Iran-backed terrorists. I can’t cozy as much as tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong Un, who’re rooting for Trump. Who’re rooting for Trump As a result of they know he’s straightforward to govern with flattery and favors. They know Trump will not maintain autocrats accountable as a result of he needs to be an autocrat himself.

And as president, I’ll by no means waver in protection of America’s safety and beliefs, as a result of within the enduring battle between democracy and tyranny, I do know the place I stand, and I do know the place america of America belongs.

So fellow Individuals, I really like our nation with all my coronary heart.

All over the place I’m going — in everybody I meet — I see a nation that is able to transfer ahead. Prepared for the subsequent step, within the unimaginable journey that’s America.

I see an America the place we maintain quick to the fearless perception that constructed our nation and impressed the world. That right here, on this nation, something is feasible. That nothing is out of attain.

An America the place we take care of each other, look out for each other, and acknowledge that we have now a lot extra in widespread than what separates us. That none of us has to fail for all of us to succeed. And that, in unity, there’s energy.

Our opponents on this race are on the market, day-after-day, denigrating America. Speaking about how horrible the whole lot is. Nicely, my mom had one other lesson she used to show. By no means let anybody inform you who you’re. You present them who you’re.

America, allow us to present one another — and the world — who we’re. And what we stand for. Freedom. Alternative. Compassion. Dignity. Equity. And limitless potentialities.

We’re the heirs to the best democracy within the historical past of the world. And on behalf of our kids and our grandchildren, and all those that sacrificed so dearly for our freedom and liberty, we have to be worthy of this second. It’s now our flip to do what generations earlier than us have achieved. Guided by optimism and religion, to struggle for this nation we love. To struggle for the beliefs we cherish. And to uphold the superior duty that comes with the best privilege on Earth: the privilege and pleasure of being an American.

So, let’s get on the market. Let’s struggle for it. Let’s get on the market. Let’s vote for it. And collectively, allow us to write the subsequent nice chapter in probably the most extraordinary story ever advised.

Thanks. God bless you, and will God bless america of America.

Final replace on 2024-08-23 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photographs from Amazon Product Promoting API