'Worst fear': Trump, US Capitol riot loom over Harris rally

People climb a fence after gathering on the National Mall to listen to US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris as she spoke on The Ellipse, just south of the White House, in Washington, DC, on October 29, 2024. [AFP]

Craig Bauer fought back tears Tuesday in the quarter-mile-long line to enter Kamala Harris's "closing argument" rally in Washington, overcome by the moment and a location linked to one of the most tumultuous days in US political history.

The gathering is happening on the spot where Donald Trump gave a fiery speech on January 6, 2021, to his supporters, who then marched to the Capitol building and rioted in an attempt to undo President Joe Biden's election win.

"I think it says that you're not going to make this a bad place," Bauer said on why Harris chose a site so weighted with meaning, with Trump a coin-toss election away from potentially returning to the White House.

"You're not going to take this from the American people," the 54-year-old from Virginia added, quickly fighting off tears near the tall black fence surrounding the site, where police expected about 50,000 attendees.

The passions of what has been an emotionally charged election campaign, now just days from its November 5 climax, were clear and close to the surface for many waiting to enter the so-called Ellipse, which is visible from the White House.

Sue and Daniel Settle drove 14 hours from midwestern Illinois because they were being driven berserk by TV coverage and social media updates on the election.

"We had to do something," said Daniel, 68.

'Preserve our democracy'

The events of January 6 were still very clear in both of their minds, they said.

The eruption of violence had forced them to break their household rule of no TV or computers on Wednesdays. Instead, they spent the day watching in horror.

"I think having this rally in this place is important because she's going to preserve our democracy and not destroy it, like he tried to," said 67-year-old Sue Settle.

Sam Kitchen, who stood a few places away in line, said "hopefully we can put that history behind us."

Kitchen, who is 42 and lives in Maryland, said he feels "incredibly nervous" about the outcome of an election that opinion polls suggest is effectively tied.

"Something so obviously egregious to the principles of the United States was not good enough to keep someone like that away. Really?" Kitchen said, referring to Trump's impeachment and acquittal over the riot.

"The best outcome is Harris wins and it sticks and there's no violence," he added.

'Big statement'

Tensions are soaring in the too-close-to-call race, fueled by fears that Trump could again refuse to recognize a defeat, as he did in 2020.

He could, of course, also simply come in first.

"My worst fear is that Trump wins," Kitchen added.

Syaira Liverpool, 21, a student at Washington's historically Black Howard University, was excited for the rally after casting her first ballot in a presidential election for Harris.

She was thrilled by the choice of location.

"It's very empowering. I think it takes back the narrative of where our democracy is headed if Trump wins the election," she added.

"It's a big statement she's making."