2024 election updates: Trump and Harris bring their campaigns to the battleground state of Wisconsin

Harris deliberately tried to win over Republicans and former Trump supporters, telling the audience in Washington that "our democracy doesn't require us to agree on everything."

"Donald Trump has spent a decade trying to keep the American people divided and afraid of each other," she said. "That is who he is. But America, I am hear to tonight to say, that is not who we are."

She added: "The fact that someone disagrees with us does not make us the enemy within."

At the top of her speech at the Ellipse Tuesday, Harris took shots at former President Donald Trump's recent rhetoric, specifically invoking his "enemy from within" comment.

"This is someone who is unstable, obsessed with revenge, consumed with grievance and out for unchecked power. Donald Trump has spent a decade trying to keep the American people divided and afraid of each other," Harris said.

"That is who he is, but America, I am here tonight to say, that is not who we are. That is not who we are," Harris added.

The vice president went on to call for unity across the nation.

"We have to stop pointing fingers and start locking arms. It is time to turn the page on the drama and the conflict, the fear and division. It is time for a new generation of leadership in America," Harris said.

Harris opened her speech in Washington by setting the stakes of next week's general election.

The backdrop to Harris' closing argument speech on Tuesday will be the office she hopes to hold: The White House.

The event is thick with symbolism. Held on The Ellipse, the park just south of the White House, the event will represent Harris' clearest attempt to show why she deserves to be the person sitting in the Oval Office next year. The site of the speech also harkens back to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol: It is where Trump gave a speech filled with lies about the election immediately beforehand.

Harris specifically mentioned in interviews before her remarks on Tuesday that the backdrop was picked to help voters envision having her in the Oval Office instead of Trump.

People attending the event have been standing in line for hours and are now waiting for Harris to take the stage. The back of the stage is lined with American flags, and large signs that read "Freedom" in block letters flank the set-up.