Remarks at the 2024 Democratic National Convention – Aug. 22, 2024

Good evening. I'm Elissa Slotkin. I am honored to be your U.S. Senate nominee from the great state of Michigan. Go Blue! Go Green! My peeps, from Michigan.

My life in service began in New York City on September 11. As the smoke cleared, I knew my career would be spent protecting the country we all love. I was recruited by the CIA and served three tours in Iraq alongside our military. And I worked at the White House under presidents of both parties and as an acting assistant secretary of defense under President Obama.

I want to talk tonight about national security. Because the choice in November is stark. America retreating from the world or leading the world. Trump wants to take us backwards. He admires dictators—a lot. He treats our friends as adversaries and our adversaries as friends.

But our vision is based on our values, the values that took us to the shores of Normandy and helped us win the Cold War. We believe America should inspire and lead at home and abroad. We recognize that it's not just about having a strong military, but about tackling global challenges like AI and climate change together. And guess what, that takes friends. You got to have friends to do that.

Vice President Harris understands our strength abroad is inextricably linked to our strength here at home. Our schools, a strong middle class and the health of our democracy.

So for everyone here and everyone watching, I want you to proudly claim your patriotism. You are here because you love your country. Do not give an inch to pretenders who wrap themselves in the flag, but spit in the face of freedoms it represents.

This November, let's elect a president who will lean forward to embrace the future. Because America doesn't follow. We do not retreat. We are the damn United States of America. We lead.

PBS NewsHour. “Rep. Elissa Slotkin speaks at 2024 Democratic National Convention | 2024 DNC Night 4.” YouTube video, 2:38. Aug. 22, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVksBOgPk6k