Kamala Harris/ Trump Jan. 6/ 2024 election/ Capitol riot/ Ellipse speech/ Trump election denial/ democratic integrity/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Vice President Kamala Harris will give her campaign’s closing speech at the Ellipse in Washington, where Donald Trump incited supporters to challenge the 2020 election results on January 6, 2021. Her appearance underscores her stance against Trump’s repeated election lies and what she says are the dangers of his return to office.
Key Points
- Jan. 6 Location Choice: Harris will address supporters at the Ellipse, where Trump’s January 6 speech encouraged supporters to challenge the 2020 election results.
- Election Overturn Attempt: Trump’s 2020 loss was followed by numerous failed lawsuits and attempts to alter the results, later leading to criminal charges.
- Trump’s Actions and Words: On Jan. 6, Trump incited a crowd, calling for supporters to march to the Capitol, urging them to “fight like hell” against what he claimed was a stolen election.
- Congressional Session Disrupted: As the crowd turned violent, rioters stormed the Capitol, resulting in injuries, deaths, and nearly 1,500 arrests.
- Harris’s Closing Argument: Harris is expected to contrast her vision for unity and stability against Trump’s rhetoric of division, positioning herself as a leader for future progress.
Harris to Deliver Campaign’s Final Speech at Scene of Trump’s Jan. 6 Rally
Deep Look:
Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver her campaign’s final message Tuesday at a symbolic site in Washington—the Ellipse near the White House, where former President Donald Trump rallied his supporters just before the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. In choosing this location, Harris aims to underscore her campaign’s message contrasting her vision for the nation with Trump’s actions on that infamous day and the rhetoric he continues to use.
Her speech comes almost four years after Trump addressed thousands of supporters at this same spot, fueling anger by reiterating unproven claims that the 2020 election had been “stolen.” The former president’s fiery language urged his audience to “stop the steal” and fight to reverse the election outcome, ultimately leading to the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The Build-up to Jan. 6: Failed Lawsuits and Conspiracy Theories
Trump’s speech at the Ellipse followed a series of failed legal efforts to contest the 2020 election results. His team’s lawsuits, which attempted to prove widespread voter fraud, were repeatedly rejected, even by judges he and other Republicans appointed. Among the claims were conspiracy theories involving voting machine tampering. Despite these failures, Trump continued to insist that the election had been rigged, a stance that ultimately led to his federal indictment for attempting to overturn the election.
On Dec. 19, 2020, Trump tweeted about a “big protest” planned for Jan. 6 in Washington, calling on supporters to attend, saying, “It will be wild!” This rally date coincided with the day Congress was set to formally certify the election results, an otherwise routine procedure. Trump leaned heavily on then-Vice President Mike Pence, hoping he would reject the election certification. “I hope Mike does the right thing,” Trump told the crowd, implying that Pence could overturn the election results.
Incendiary Words from Trump on Jan. 6
From the stage on Jan. 6, Trump delivered a lengthy speech cataloging his grievances, calling out “fake news media” and “radical-left Democrats” as he repeated his baseless claims of election theft. “We will never give up, we will never concede,” he told the crowd. He called for action: “And we fight. We fight like hell. And if you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.”
Toward the end of his speech, Trump directed his supporters to head toward the Capitol. “So let’s walk down Pennsylvania Avenue,” he said, although he himself would not join them. Instead, Trump returned to the White House, reportedly watching the chaos unfold on television.
The Violent March to the Capitol
As his supporters moved toward the Capitol, law enforcement was quickly overwhelmed. According to congressional testimony, Trump had been dismissive when aides informed him that some in the crowd were armed. “I don’t care that they have weapons,” Trump allegedly said, according to former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony. Inside the Capitol, Pence, along with lawmakers and staff, sought shelter as rioters stormed the chambers. While some rioters called for Pence to be hanged, Trump reportedly watched from the White House, making no attempt to dispatch law enforcement to the scene.
Eventually, after hours of violence, Trump released a video message telling supporters to “go home” but again reiterated his claims of a stolen election. “Remember this day forever!” he added on Twitter. The attack left roughly 140 officers injured, several deaths in its wake, and resulted in over 1,500 arrests.
Harris’s Closing Argument: A Different Path Forward
In her Tuesday speech, Harris plans to draw a stark contrast between Trump’s continued claims and her vision for the country’s future. As Election Day approaches, she’ll remind voters of the significance of this choice, framing her campaign as a chance to turn the page from the chaos and division surrounding Trump’s actions on and after Jan. 6.
Since Jan. 6, Trump has continued to reference the events of that day in his campaign appearances, even going as far as praising the individuals jailed for their roles in the riot. During his 2024 campaign, he has attempted to reframe the day’s events, describing it as “a day of love” at a recent town hall.
In a powerful setting tied to both the past and the present, Harris’s address will serve as her final appeal to voters, urging Americans to imagine what another Trump term could mean for the nation’s stability and democratic principles.
2024 Campaign Strategy Anchored in Jan. 6 Theme:
Since the attack, Trump has used the events of January 6 to anchor his 2024 campaign, positioning his narrative of a “stolen election” as a cause for his return to office. In a 2024 rally, he referred to the Capitol rioters as “unbelievable patriots” and pledged to pardon those convicted in connection to the attack. At a recent Univision town hall, Trump even redefined January 6 as “a day of love,” continuing his narrative and implying the event was far more peaceful than its violent outcome reflected.
Harris’ use of the Ellipse setting underscores her intent to frame her platform around a commitment to democratic principles and counter the message of her Republican opponent. Her address comes as voters prepare for another high-stakes election, with Harris aiming to remind the public of the implications tied to a return of Trump’s leadership.
