Vice President Kamala Harris surprised crowds on the first day of the Democratic National Convention, offering brief remarks and thanking President Joe Biden ahead of his scheduled handoff speech on Monday.
Harris took the stage to rapturous cheers from the crowd as Beyoncé’s “Freedom” rang out through Chicago’s United Center.
According to the official agenda, Harris wasn’t set to speak on Monday but delivered brief introductory comments, telling the crowd that “this is going to be a great week.”
She used most of her short time onstage to praise Biden and drum up excitement for his speech, set for later in the evening.
“I want to kick us off by celebrating our incredible President Joe Biden, who will be speaking later tonight,” she said.
“Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime of service to our nation, and for all you will continue to do; we are forever grateful to you,” Harris added.
Biden is set to deliver a prime-time address on Monday. His remarks will kick off the convention, which was previously set to serve as his reelection event until he bowed out of the race last month following a disastrous debate performance with former President Donald Trump in late June.
The president is expected to use his speech to review his administration’s accomplishments and officially coronate Harris as his successor.
According to NBC News, following the speech, Biden will not attend the rest of the DNC, which runs through Thursday. Media reports in recent days have suggested the president is still frustrated by members of his party who pushed for his replacement as the candidate.
Harris finished her remarks on Monday by praising the diversity in the Democratic party.
“Looking out at everyone tonight, I see the beauty of our great nation. People from every corner of our country and every walk of life are here, united by our shared vision for the future of our country, and this November, we will come together and declare with one voice, as one people, we are moving forward,” she said.
