Biden Addresses Country While Harris Begins Campaign Swing

Vice President Kamala Harris officially kicked off her campaign for president this week, leading the top political headlines from around the country. Here is a look at what happened this week in Washington, D.C. and beyond.

Vice President Kamala Harris Kicks Off Campaign in Milwaukee

Just two days after being endorsed by President Joe Biden after he pulled out of the race for his re-election to the Oval Office, Harris appeared in her first official campaign rally. The Vice President visited Milwaukee in the swing state of Wisconsin where she was welcomed by Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

Harris gave a preview of the tone and tenor of her campaign during the address when she went hard after former President Donald Trump. During the address, Harris also touched on what is likely to be the major tenets of her campaign, speaking about women's reproductive rights and the state of the economy.

Also on Tuesday, the Democratic Party confirmed that it will officially determine its presidential nominee by August 7.

Nobody has come forward to challenge Harris, meaning she is the presumptive nominee. She also secured the required number of state delegates needed to become the official nominee one day after Biden exited the race.

Harris' busy week continued on Wednesday when she began the day serving as the keynote speaker for an annual event by the Zeta Phi Beta sorority in Indianapolis.

The vice president used the time to try to mobilize the Black women vote, considered to be a crucial demographic that the Democrats need to secure heading into the election.

President Biden Addresses the Nation

President Biden spoke to the nation in a primetime address from the Oval Office on Wednesday, detailing his decision to step down and why he has endorsed Harris as the new Democratic nominee. The president spoke about his reverence for his office but said that he loved his country more.

While the remarks only lasted about 11 minutes, he conveyed a great sense of emotion about leaving behind his job and passing the torch to a new generation. He also spent time detailing what he hopes to accomplish in the coming months before he leaves the White House.

Trump on the Campaign Trail

Trump also made his first public appearance since Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee, appearing at a rally in Charlotte on Wednesday.

During the rally, Trump wasted no time going on the attack against Harris. In addition to repeatedly referring to her as "lying Kamala," Trump also asserted that she was the most liberal senator in Congress.

On Thursday, the former president issued a statement saying that he is refusing to commit to any future debates until the Democratic Party officially chooses their candidate.

The next scheduled presidential debate is slated for September 10, hosted by ABC News. However, Trump is pushing for an alternate debate proposed for September 17 and hosted by Fox News.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Visits Washington, D.C.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington, D.C. this week as tension between his country and the U.S. grows. The Israeli leader addressed the U.S.

Congress on Wednesday, asking Americans to stand with him as allies as the war with Gaza rages on. Netanyahu criticized those who have spoken out against him while also linking the anti-war protesters to Iran. Roughly 80 Democrats in the House of Representatives did not attend the address in defiance of Israel's campaign against civilians in Gaza.

President Biden met with Netanyahu later in the day in the Oval Office. After returning to Washington, D.C. on Thursday following a campaign rally in Houston, Harris also met with the prime minister.

The vice president addressed the media after the meeting at the White House, offering a glimpse into her thoughts about the conflict between Gaza and Israel.

During the address, Harris reiterated that the Biden administration will continue to support Israel, however, she was defiant in saying that Americans cannot simply ignore the images of the civilian casualties. Harris took the time to list all of the American hostages by name, reaffirming that she and Biden are committed to bringing them home.

Earlier in the day, Netanyahu met with some of the families of the Israeli-American hostages still being held by Hamas.

Not surprisingly, Netanyahu's visit also brought a large number of protesters to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. The protesters gathered outside of Union Station, burning American flags and shouting affirmation for Palestine. Some of the group also set ablaze a paper mache puppet depicting Netanyahu.

Sen. JD Vance Comes Under Fire

It has not been the best start to the campaign season for Sen. JD Vance. One week after being tapped by Trump as his running mate, opponents of Vance began to share controversial statements that he made in the past.

The possible Democratic vice presidential nominees have also come out against Vance, critiquing his record in Congress over the past few years.

Actress Jennifer Aniston took issue with Vance's comments about not wanting America to be governed by "a bunch of childless cat ladies."

In a rare public display about her political beliefs, Aniston called out the senator from Ohio for the past remarks, sharing a screenshot of the statement on her Instagram account. She then went on to write that she could not believe that a potential American vice president once made these comments.

New Details About Trump Assassination Attempt

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill were also working to get new information about the attempted assassination on Trump nearly two weeks ago.

Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris testified in front of Congress on Tuesday, answering questions about the attempt.

Paris revealed that two local police officers left the building that the gunman ended up climbing on to fire his shots at the former president. Paris also confirmed that the investigation has only yielded eight casings from the gunman's weapon.

The day before Paris' testimony, former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle testified in front of the House Oversight Committee.

Cheatle ended up resigning from her position the next morning after both sides of the political aisle called on her to do so. Cheatle acknowledged in the resignation letter that the agency did not deliver on its mission to protect the former president.

Secret Service Deputy Director Ronald Rowe was tapped by the Department of Homeland Security to take over Cheatle's role.

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