Summary

  • Vice-President Kamala Harris says Donald Trump "wants to take our country backward", speaking at a campaign rally in Milwaukee, in the critical swing state of Wisconsin

  • Harris says she will spend the coming weeks uniting the Democratic Party “so we are ready to win in November”

  • She was addressing voters for the first time since she secured enough support to become the Democratic Party's nominee for president

  • It comes after two senior Democrats - Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer and House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries - "proudly" endorsed Kamala Harris to run for president

  • President Biden has said he will address the nation tomorrow from the Oval Office following his decision not to seek a second term

  • In other news, the head of the US Secret Service Kimberly Cheatle says she plans to quit "with heavy heart" following security lapses in the run up to the assassination attempt on Trump

Media caption,

Kamala Harris: From prosecutor to possible president

  1. Harris vows to take the fight to Donald Trumppublished at 23:39 British Summer Time 23 July

    We'll be closing this page shortly, so here's a quick round-up of everything you need to know:

    • Vice-President Kamala Harris has given her first major campaign speech since securing enough support to become the Democratic Party's nominee for president
    • She used it to hit out at Republican candidate Donald Trump - who she says "wants to take our country backward" - as well as outlining her key policy priorities, including tackling child poverty, protecting reproductive rights, and keeping people safe from "the terror of gun violence"
    • Meanwhile incumbent President Joe Biden says he will address the nation tomorrow, after announcing his decision not to seek a second term.
    • Earlier on Tuesday he headed back to Washington DC from his beach home in Delaware, where he was recovering from Covid
    • Elsewhere, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle announced her resignation, after admitting "the most serious operational failure" in the lead up to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump

    You can continue to read about Kamala Harris in our main news story here

    Plus our correspondent Anthony Zurcher has written a background piece on the vice-president

    And here is our story on the resignation of US Secret Service director Kim Cheatle

    Thank you for joining us.

  2. Netanyahu will face 'day of rage' in Washington, protesters saypublished at 23:26 British Summer Time 23 July

    Brandon Drenon
    Reporting from Washington

    Police stand guard in Washington in preparation for Netanyahu's address to CongressImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Police stand guard in Washington in preparation for Netanyahu's address to Congress

    With Joe Biden back at the White House and Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in full campaign mode, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is visiting Washington this week.

    Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters will be in Washington for a "day of rage" over the war in Gaza as Netanyahu speaks to Congress on Wednesday, organisers warn.

    The message comes after the prime minister said he would "present the truth about our just war", during his first trip outside Israel since the conflict began.

    Ahmad Abuznaid, executive director of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, says protesters would "make the statement that war criminals like Netanyahu are not welcome" in the US.

    Netanyahu was invited by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to give his first address to Congress in nine years.

    This follows a protest on Tuesday afternoon organised by Jewish Voice for Peace, where hundreds of people protested against US weapons sales to Israel, sitting inside the Cannon House Office Building - the oldest US Congress office building.

    Biden is expected to meet Netanyahu this week, while Trump said Tuesday he would also meet the prime minister on Friday.

    Jewish Voice For Peace protest the war in GazaImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Jewish Voice For Peace protest the war in Gaza a day before Israeli PM Netanyahu is set to speak before Congress

  3. Biden back at White Housepublished at 22:53 British Summer Time 23 July

    After leaving his beach house in Delaware - where he had been isolating with Covid - earlier in the day, Joe Biden said he was back in Washington on Tuesday evening.

    "It's great to be back at the White House," the president posted, external on social media, along with a picture of him heading into the building's south entrance.

    "This afternoon, I arrived back at the Oval Office and sat down with my national security team for my daily intelligence briefing," he said.

    "Serving as your Commander-in-Chief continues to be the greatest honour of my life."

  4. Who will be Kamala Harris' running mate?published at 22:28 British Summer Time 23 July

    Josh Shapiro, wearing a blue suit, is stood in front of a microphone and pointing towards the cameraImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Josh Shapiro has said he would "do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as the 47th President of the United States"

    With Kamala Harris closing in on the Democratic nomination, talk has turned to her running mate.

    She will need to pick one by the time Democratic party delegates vote next month at a convention in Chicago to officially confirm who is on the ticket.

    Historically, vice-presidents are picked to complement a candidate and strategists believe for that reason she may pick a white man from a swing state.

    Names in the mix are said to include:

    Josh Shapiro - Pennsylvania Governor

    Andy Beshear - Kentucky Governor

    Mark Kelly - Arizona Senator

    Roy Cooper - North Carolina Governor

    JB Pritzker - Illinois Governor

    Pete Buttigieg - Transportation Secretary

    William McRaven - Retired Admiral

    You can read more about all the possible picks here.

  5. Acting head of Secret Service announcedpublished at 22:22 British Summer Time 23 July

    Earlier today we brought you the news that the head of the US Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, plans to quit after security lapses in the run up to last week's assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

    An interim replacement has since been announced, with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announcing that Ronald L Rowe Jr will serve as acting director of the Secret Service.

    In a post on X, Mayorkas says he appreciates Rowe's "willingness to lead the Secret Service at this incredibly challenging moment".

  6. In pictures: Harris rallies in Wisconsinpublished at 22:10 British Summer Time 23 July

    Supporters young and old wait for Harris to come on the stage at West Allis Central High SchoolImage source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
    Image caption,

    Supporters young and old wait for Harris to come on the stage at West Allis Central High School

    Supporters cheer for US Vice President Kamala Harris during her campaign event at West Allis, Wisconsin,Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
    Image caption,

    Supporters chant "We are not going back" after Harris says Trump would cut social security and Medicare

    US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event at West Allis, WisconsinImage source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
    Image caption,

    The Harris campaign say there were over 3,000 people attending Harris' first campaign rally

    Supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris react to her speaking during a campaign rally at West Allis Central High SchoolImage source, Getty Images
  7. Senior foreign policy figures back Harris in open letterpublished at 22:00 British Summer Time 23 July

    Kamala Harris's candidacy has been endorsed by 350 foreign policy and diplomacy heavyweights from the Democratic Party in a letter released on Tuesday.

    The open letter says Harris brings more national security experience than the four presidents before President Joe Biden, citing her role in the US response to the war in Ukraine and Iranian attacks on Israel.

    Former Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, as well as former National Security Advisors Thomas Donilon and Susan Rice, were among those who signed the letter.

  8. Republican introduces impeachment articles against Harrispublished at 21:42 British Summer Time 23 July

    A Republican member of the House of Representatives has introduced articles of impeachment against Vice-President Kamala Harris.

    In the resolution written by Representative Andy Ogles, it accuses her of high crimes and misdemeanours over her handling of immigration across the US-Mexico border.

    The process likely won't advance, but signals that Republican figures are focusing their attacks on the presumptive Democratic nominee – and the issue of the border.

  9. Kamala Harris leads by 2% in new pollpublished at 21:26 British Summer Time 23 July

    Vice-President Kamala Harris leads a national poll with 44% compared to Donald Trump's 42%, according to Reuters and Ipsos.

    Harris' two point lead against Trump compares to President Biden's two-point deficit in a poll released last week – before his exit from the race.

    The poll was conducted on Monday and Tuesday this week, following the Republican National Convention, Biden's exit and his endorsement of Harris as the new Democrat presidential candidate.

  10. Analysis

    Harris' campaign sees new levels of enthusiasm among Democratspublished at 20:59 British Summer Time 23 July

    Anthony Zurcher
    BBC North America correspondent

    Supporters of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris hold campaign signs as they attend a campaign event at West Allis Central High School, in West Allis, Wisconsin, U.S., July 23, 2024.Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Supporters holding Kamala signs at her campaign rally in Wisconsin earlier

    What a difference three days make. On Sunday morning, Democrats were wallowing in despair, their elderly presidential candidate sequestered because of Covid as a growing number in the party were calling for him to step aside.

    Now, Democrats have a new presumptive nominee, Kamala Harris, and the enthusiasm at her campaign rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was palpable.

    For the first time since Biden’s disastrous debate with Donald Trump at the end of June, Democrats seemed hopeful – even excited – about the campaign to come.

    Harris’s White House bid is only just getting off the ground, and her challenge will be to maintain this level of enthusiasm and translate it into turnout at ballot box when voting starts in a matter of a few months.

    She will have to do so in the face of withering attacks from Trump and the Republicans that have only just begun.

  11. Watch: Harris pledges to unite party 'so we are ready to win'published at 20:47 British Summer Time 23 July

    Media caption,

    Election 2024: Kamala Harris campaign kicks off

    Vice-President Kamala Harris has delivered her first speech since securing the support of a majority of Democratic delegates to become the party's nominee for president.

    Watch her speak to thousands of supporters at a rally in the battleground state of Wisconsin in the clip above.

  12. Has Kamala Harris got what it takes to beat Trump?published at 20:38 British Summer Time 23 July

    Anthony Zurcher
    BBC North America correspondent

    Media caption,

    Kamala Harris: From prosecutor to possible president... in 100 seconds

    The path for Vice-President Kamala Harris to secure the Democratic presidential nomination is clearing.

    That may end up being the easy part. The most formidable challenge – defeating Republican nominee Donald Trump in November – is still to come. Her elevation to the top of ticket would bring new strengths for the Democrats, but it also exposes weaknesses that were less of a concern with Biden.

    This renewed sense of enthusiasm has seen Harris raise more than $80m (£62m) in new donations in the 24 hours since Biden’s announcement – the biggest one-day total of any candidate this election cycle.

    Harris, if she becomes the nominee, also defuses one of the most effective attacks the Republicans have levelled against their opponent - his age.

    But for all her potential strengths, there is a reason why some Democrats were initially reluctant to push Biden to step aside, given that Harris would be the clear successor.

    Despite generating Democratic enthusiasm on the subject of abortion, her record as vice-president has been mixed.

    • You can read more about whether Harris has what it takes to beat Trump here
  13. Trump says he's willing to debate Harrispublished at 20:15 British Summer Time 23 July

    Former US president Donald Trump says he is "willing" to take part in at least one presidential debate with Kamala Harris.

    In a call with reporters, the Republican nominee for president says: "Oh, yes, absolutely. I want to. I think it's important," adding: "I would be willing to do more than one debate, actually."

  14. Key points from Kamala Harris's first campaign speechpublished at 20:14 British Summer Time 23 July

    US Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks during a campaign event at West Allis Central High School, iImage source, Reuters

    We've just heard Kamala Harris speak for the first time since she became the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate for the November election.

    She addressed thousands of supporters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, one of the key swing states which will decide the race for the White House. Here are the top lines:

    • Harris paid tribute to Biden, saying his accomplishments in politics are "unmatched in modern history"
    • She repeated an attack line contrasting her background as a prosecutor against her opponent's convictions, saying "I know Donald Trump's type"
    • Harris said her campaign had seen the "best 24 hours of grassroots fundraising in campaign history"
    • She set out her policy priorities on tackling child poverty, union rights, affordable healthcare and being able "to retire with dignity"
    • Harris said she would "stop Donald Trump's extreme abortion bans" before telling the crowd, "We have an election to win"
  15. Harris ends rally declaring 'We have an election to win'published at 20:01 British Summer Time 23 July

    U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris applauds during a campaign event at West Allis Central High School, in West Allis, Wisconsin, U.S., July 23, 2024Image source, Reuters

    Harris has ended her first campaign rally since becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee for president.

    What kind of country do we want to live with? Harris asked the crowd.

    Do we want to live in chaos and hate, she asked - adding: "We each have the power to answer that question."

    "In the next 105 days, we have work to do," she added, before declaring: "And we have an election to win".

    Cheers and applause erupted in the audience.

    She asked the audience if they're ready to work, and do they "believe in freedom? Opportunity?"

    "Are we ready to fight? Yes. When we fight we win." she concluded, before exiting the stage as Beyoncé's Freedom played once again.

  16. Harris lists policy plans on guns and abortionpublished at 19:58 British Summer Time 23 July

    Description U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks during a campaign event, at West Allis Central High School, in West Allis, Wisconsin, U.S., July 23, 2024Image source, Reuters

    Harris says she will make sure "every American has the ability to cast their ballot and it have it counted".

    The vice-president says to help keep people safe from "the terror of gun violence" she will pass red flag laws, universal background checks and an assault weapons ban.

    Turning to reproductive rights, Harris says she will "stop Donald Trump's extreme abortion bans, because we trust women to make decisions about their own body and not have their government tell them what to do."

    "When Congress passes a law to restore reproductive freedoms", Harris says she would sign it into law.

  17. 'We are not going back', chant Harris and her crowdpublished at 19:56 British Summer Time 23 July

    US Vice President Kamala HarrisImage source, Reuters

    After talking about building up the middle class, Vice-President Kamala Harris says Donald Trump "wants to take our country backward" - referring to the Republican Project 2025 agenda and other policies.

    "Can you believe they put that thing in writing?" Harris asks the crowd of the document.

    She says Trump wants to cut social security and Medicare, end the Affordable Care Act and will give tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations.

    She repeats: "We are not going back" and the crowd chants along with her.

    "Ours is a fight for our future, and a fight for freedom," Harris tells the cheering crowd.

  18. 'Building the middle class' will define presidency, Harris sayspublished at 19:50 British Summer Time 23 July

    US Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks during a campaign event at West Allis Central High School, in West Allis, WisconsinImage source, Reuters

    Harris says one of her major platform points is that "everyone should not just get by", but should "get ahead".

    "A future where no child has to grow up in poverty," she says to applause. "Where every worker has the freedom to join a union. Where every person has affordable healthcare. Has affordable childcare and paid family leave."

    Additionally, Harris says that hopes for a future in which senior citizens can "retire with dignity".

    "All of this is to say, building up the middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency," she adds.

  19. Harris says she is running a 'people-powered campaign'published at 19:49 British Summer Time 23 July

    US Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks during a campaign eventImage source, Reuters

    Harris says this campaign is "about who we fight for".

    Continuing her attack on Trump's record, she accuses him of trading access for campaign contributions and promising oil lobbyists "he would do their bidding" for $1bn in campaign donations.

    "On other hand, we are running a people-powered campaign," she asserts, to cheers and applause.

    "And we just had the best 24 hours of grassroots fundraising in presidential campaign history."

  20. Harris touts history as prosecutorpublished at 19:48 British Summer Time 23 July

    Harris goes on to talk about her role as a prosecutor and attorney general in California before becoming vice-president.

    There, she says, she took on "predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own game."

    "So hear me when I say, I know Donald Trump's type," she says.

    This is met by more chants of "Kam-a-la" from the audience.

    "In this campaign I will proudly put my record against his any day of the week," Harris continues.