Harris urges public to 'stay in the fight,' 'come back ready' after the holidays

In some of her most fulsome remarks since the 2024 election, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a message to those disappointed in the election outcome: Now is the time to stay in the fight and stay true to beliefs.

The Tuesday speech marked the vice president's most extensive comments since her concession speech following her loss to President-elect Donald Trump in November.

"The story of America's progress when we have made progress, in many ways, is the story of people who stayed true to their ideals, even in the face of difficulty," she said. "The movements for civil rights, women's rights, workers' rights, the United States of America itself ... would never have come to be if people had given up their cause after a court case or a battle or an election did not go their way."

Harris noted that since the election, she has received "tens of thousands of letters" from people across the nation expressing some "disappointment."

“Over the past several weeks, since the election, I have received tens of thousands of letters from people across our nation, many of them young leaders, Americans from every walk of life, people of every age, race, faith and political party," Harris said in Prince George's County, Maryland. "These letters share a common theme. Yes, there is disappointment, but there is also resolve for the future."

“As we then approach the end of this year, many people have come up to me telling me they feel tired … maybe even resigned … that they’re not sure whether they have the strength, much less the desire, to stay in the fight. Let me be very clear: No one can walk away. No one can walk away," she said. "We must stay in the fight, every one of us, including the fight for an economy that works, not just for those at the very top but for working people -- for all Americans. To fight to make sure everyone has a fair shot to pursue their ambitions. The fight for our ideals, including the equality among us, the freedoms to which we are entitled, the dignity that we possess and is possessed by every one of us.

"So we must stay in the fight because that is the responsibility, in my opinion, that comes with the privilege of being an American," she added.

Harris thanked the audience of "young leaders," which included high school and college students, recent graduates and apprentices who have been active in their local communities, in her remarks at Prince George’s Community College, and she said they now are "heirs" to the fight to "keep the light of America's promise" burning bright. She was joined by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and Sen.-elect Angela Alsobrooks, all Democrats.

“Everyone, please, get some rest over the holidays and spend time with the people you love," she concluded. "And then I urge you … I challenge you to come back ready, ready to chart our path into the future, chin up, shoulders back and forever impatient for change … and be ready to get back to work fighting for opportunity and freedom, fighting for fairness and dignity, back to work fighting for this country we love and the future we share.”

The speech followed remarks the vice president gave Sunday with President Joe Biden at the Democratic National Committee's holiday reception and came amid questions about Harris' political future after she leaves office on Jan. 20.