Kamala Harris reveals why her thoughts 'immediately' turned to Melania after Trump's shooting as she resumes campaign events while Democrats work to replace Biden
- Kamala Harris resumed her campaign trail activity, holding an event in Michigan
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Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump on Wednesday, her first public address on camera about the shooting since it took place on Saturday.
Harris addressed the attempt on Trump's life prior to a roundtable event on abortion rights roundtable discussion in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
'As we all know it was a heinous horrible and cowardly act,' she said. 'My husband Doug and I are thankful he was not seriously injured.'
Harris said her thoughts turned to Trump's wife Melania, as she indicated she was concerned for her.
'That day as soon as we saw what was happening we said a prayer for his wellbeing,' she said. 'And our thoughts immediately turned to Melania who we have met and their family.'
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke publicly about the assassination attempt of Donald Trump
First Lady Melania Trump attends a campaign event for her husband Donald Trump
Harris and Melania Trump both attended former First Lady Rosalynn Carter's funeral in November.
The vice president shared her common concern about family members who serve in public office.
'The bottom line is that no one should have to fear the safety of a loved one because they serve in public office,' she said.
Harris reminded Americans of the traditions of a peaceful democracy but said it was important to keep campaigning on the issues.
'Violence is never acceptable ... at the same time, the hallmark of American democracy is a strong competition of ideas,' she said.
Harris' remarks appeared to be a reset of her campaign narrative, after she had disappeared from the campaign stage for three days after the Trump shooting.
Harris accused Trump of 'gaslighting' voters by claiming he only wanted abortion rights to be handled by individual states, evoking the history of the cause of the Civil War.
'First of all any of the historians here will know what that means when we start pushing state's rights but let's put that aside,' she said.
The vice president's public profile has risen as more Democrats express concerns about Biden running for reelection, after his disastrous debate performance and concerns about his age.
Harris would be the first in line to replace Biden, if he stepped down, and Democrats already appear open to the idea.
A YouGov/Economist poll released Tuesday showed that 79 percent of Democrats supported Harris being the Democratic nominee if Biden steps aside.
President Joe Biden arrives to deliver remarks at the White House with Vice President Kamala Harris
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) urged Joe Biden to abandon his presidential campaign
On Wednesday, Rep. Adam Schiff, who is running for Senate in California, called for Biden to step aside from his reelection bid.
'A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the President can defeat Donald Trump in November,' Schiff said in a statement.
