Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the 2024 US presidential race on Wednesday at Howard University, delivering an address to supporters.
She congratulated President-elect Donald Trump and affirmed her commitment to a peaceful transition, adding a poignant reminder of the importance of democracy’s core principles.
“It’s a fundamental principle of democracy that when we lose an election, we accept the result,” Harris said, referencing the importance of conceding gracefully.
In contrast to Trump’s reaction in 2020, she underscored her dedication to the Constitution, promising to continue the causes her campaign championed.
Harris urged her supporters to respond constructively to the result, stating, “This is not a time to throw up our hands. This is a time to roll up our sleeves.”
"Earlier today, I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory. I also told him that we will help him and his team with their transition and that we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power," she added
She encouraged efforts to “stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice,” adding that her fight would continue “in the voting booth, in the courts, and in the public square.”
The campaign saw Harris as the first Black and South Asian female candidate to secure a presidential nomination. She rallied around themes of economic stability and reproductive rights, hoping to secure a surge of support from women following the 2022 rollback of abortion rights.
Despite her efforts, however, voter frustration over inflation and immigration ultimately tilted swing states toward Trump, who aims to restore a “golden age of America.”
Ending her speech with encouragement for young voters, Harris said, “The important thing is, don’t ever give up… you have the capacity to do extraordinary good.” She concluded by thanking her family, including her husband Doug Emhoff, for their steadfast support.
Trump’s re-election also brings a notable shift in the balance of power, with the GOP reclaiming control of the Senate by a margin of 52-43, strengthening the party’s hold on Congress.
Several Senate races remain uncalled, but Republicans have already surpassed the 51 seats needed to secure a majority. Meanwhile, the battle for control of the House of Representatives is still in play.
As it stands, Republicans lead with 201 seats to Democrats’ 181, needing 218 seats to secure control.
Trump’s victory is historic for more than just his return; he was the first former president to face criminal charges in four separate indictments, including a conviction in New York for falsifying business records linked to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Despite these unprecedented legal challenges, Trump is set to be sworn in for his second term on January 20, 2025, with Vice President Kamala Harris presiding over the inauguration ceremony.
Moreover, Donald Trump has won Michigan, claiming its 15 electoral votes in the 2024 the presidential election, thanks in part to significant support from Arab and Muslim communities.
Many in these groups turned away from Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party, influenced by frustration with the Biden-Harris administration's stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Dearborn, Michigan—home to the largest Arab American community in the U.S.—backed Trump with 46.8% of the vote, a sharp shift from 2020 when Biden carried the city.
Potential Members of Trump's New Cabinet in 2025
Donald Trump’s second term is expected to feature a cabinet filled with loyalists and notable figures aligned with his agenda. Richard Grenell and Marco Rubio are top contenders for Secretary of State, with Grenell bringing a strong foreign policy background from his time as acting Director of National Intelligence and US Ambassador to Germany, and Rubio adding his Senate Intelligence and Foreign Relations experience.
For Secretary of Defense, former CIA Director and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, known for his strong Ukraine support, and hawkish Senator Tom Cotton are under consideration. Hedge fund manager John Paulson, an advocate of tax cuts and deregulation, is a leading candidate for Treasury Secretary, aligning with Trump’s economic stance on tariffs and national security.
In the Middle East, Thomas Barrack, a longtime Trump ally and former inaugural committee chair, may serve as a US special envoy, leveraging his regional connections. Joel Rayburn, a retired US Army colonel and expert on Middle Eastern affairs, could step into a role as a senior foreign policy adviser, bringing experience from his previous work on US strategies for Syria and Iran.
Trump’s administration might also bring in unconventional figures, such as Elon Musk, who he envisions heading a new government efficiency commission to cut federal spending, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine critic, as a health adviser exploring controversial policies, including a potential ban on fluoride in drinking water.
This possible cabinet lineup signals a focus on conservative economic policies, defense, and unorthodox approaches to health and governance.
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