Vice President Kamala Harris contrasted her vision for the country to that of former President Donald Trump in a campaign speech at Washington Crossing Historic Park in Upper Makefield Township on Wednesday afternoon.
The event, which was filled with local Democrats and several dozen Republicans supporting Harris, highlighted her commitment to working with people of both parties.
Harris emphasized the importance of putting “country over party” and pledged to be a president for all Americans.
“I pledge to you to be a president who actively works to unite us around our highest aspirations,” Harris said.
The vice president was joined by more than 100 Republicans from Pennsylvania and across the country who have endorsed her candidacy. Among them were former GOP Congressman Adam Kinzinger, former Bucks County GOP Congressman Jim Greenwood, former Republican Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, and Chester County Republicans Bob and Christina Lange, who were recently featured in a Harris campaign commercial.
Harris addressed the unusual amount of Republican support for a Democratic candidate, stating: “In a typical election year, you all being here with me might be a bit surprising, dare I say, unusual. But not in this election.”
The vice president pointed to the stakes of the upcoming election and focused on the preservation of democratic ideals and the Constitution.
“At stake in this election is the Constitution of the United States its very self,” Harris stated.
“I have sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution six times, including as vice president, as a United States senator, and as the top law enforcement officer of the largest state in our country,” she said.
The vice president criticized Trump’s actions following the 2020 election, including his refusal to accept the results and the events of January 6, 2021.
“Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, and he refused to accept the will of the people and the results of a free and fair election,” Harris stated.
Harris also addressed Trump’s recent statements about using the military against American citizens, calling it “dangerous language.” She quoted Trump’s characterization of “the enemy from within” and warned of the implications of such rhetoric.
The vice president highlighted endorsements from former Trump administration officials and military leaders who have spoken out against the former president. She quoted Gen. Mark Milley, Trump’s former top general, who called Trump “fascist to the core.”
“No one has ever been as dangerous to this country,” she said.
Harris said she plans to appoint a Republican to her cabinet and establish a council on bipartisan solutions.
“I believe for America to be the world’s strongest democracy, we must have a healthy two-party system,” she said.
The vice president shared her experience working across party lines as a member of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee. She explained how senators from both parties would work together on national security issues.
“It was country over party, in action,” Harris said.
Harris concluded by framing the election as a choice between her leadership style and Trump’s.
“There’s a fundamental choice in this election,” she said, contrasting her approach of bringing people together with what she characterized as Trump’s focus on “retribution” and “grievances.”
The rally was held at the site of historical significance in the American Revolution.
The vice president called on supporters to “stand up for the rule of law, for our democratic ideals and for the Constitution of the United States.”
With the election weeks away, Harris urged voters to “chart a new way forward” and emphasized the importance of civic engagement in shaping the country’s future.
The crowd chanted “USA!” at several points during the speech.
“I can confidently say that Trump is too dangerous to get near the Oval Office again,” said Olivia Troye, the former homeland security advisor to former Vice President Mike Pence.
Outside the rally, several dozen Trump supporters waved signs, flags, and displayed a sign that read “F–k Kamala.”
“It’s quite pathetic to see former ‘Republicans’ of the past dug up out of irrelevance to have one last moment in the sun by campaigning for another four years of unlimited illegal immigration, rising prices, and endless wars under Kamala Harris. Fortunately, as with any other theatrical prop, they’re all going to be tossed aside the moment they stop being useful for Democrats – which will be November 5th, when President Trump is re-elected by Pennsylvanians,” said Kush Desai, the Trump campaign spokesperson for Pennsylvania.
Following the speech, Harris recorded an interview with Fox News Channel anchor Bret Baier.
The vice president’s visit brought very heavy security to the state park and closed area roads. The area where the speech was held was surrounded by dump trucks, police and park rangers, bulletproof glass, and covered by snipers.
The vice president flew in and out of Trenton-Mercer Airport for her campaign swing, which included a private meeting with several Republicans who are supporting her.
As the vice president’s motorcade left the park, supporters cheered and she waved as her SUV rolled by.
Pennsylvania is a swing state and seen as key to win by the Harris and Trump campaigns.
As Harris was departing Bucks County, her husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, was arriving to a campaign fundraiser at a residence in the City of Lambertville, New Jersey, which sits just a few miles up the Delaware River.
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