Washington, D.C. – Vice President Kamala Harris unleashed a scathing broadside Monday at former President Donald Trump, labeling him “unhinged” and declaring his pursuit of the White House a deadly hunt for “total power.”
In her remarks at a Democratic National Committee event, Harris painted Trump as a threat to democracy, alleging he intends to consolidate unprecedented control over the government if re-elected in 2024. “Donald Trump isn’t just running to be president,” Harris told supporters. “He’s running to take total control—over our institutions, over our freedoms, over the very democracy we hold dear.”.
Harris offers evidence of his authoritarian ambitions in recent statements by Trump about how to use the presidency to target political enemies and reshape federal agencies. She stressed that his continued promotion of election denialism as well as promises to remake the Justice Department and FBI are part of a larger scheme to undermine democratic norms.
As of day one, Harris says, Trump has made clear that he will respect only the rules that benefit him: “No respect for the law, no regard for the people. This isn’t about policy—it’s about power.”
Harris has warned that that is possible as Trump continues to lead the Republican primary field and establish himself as the front-runner for the GOP nomination. His new rhetoric has focused on a return to policies he described as “America First,” while he says the Biden administration is sending the country toward decline.
But Harris framed Trump’s campaign as an outright assault on American values, calling on the electorate to recognize what’s at stake next election. “This is a battle for the future of our country, for the rights of everyday Americans,” she said, urging Democrats to stay engaged and fight back.
But it was a far cry from the Democratic vice presidential candidate Harris’s rhetoric Monday, when she addressed Biden’s record in office, extolling efforts to boost the economy and build on expansion of access to health care and the environment. “We’re building a better, stronger America for everyone,” she said. “But that progress is at risk if we allow Trump’s dangerous agenda to take hold.”
Now that the 2024 election is heating up, this fiery rebuke of Trump by the vice president highlights what could be increasingly high stakes for both parties.
Trump hasn’t made a response to Harris’ remarks on the issue.
