Governor Tim Walz delivered a powerful and detailed speech at the Firefighters Union Conference in Boston, leaving no room for ambiguity about his stance on workers’ rights and the actions of former President Donald Trump. In his speech, Walz, the Vice Presidential nominee alongside Kamala Harris, outlined their administration’s vision for the future, contrasting it sharply with Trump’s past and proposed policies.

Walz’s speech stood out not just for its content but for the way he directly addressed the concerns of union members and workers across America. He highlighted how, under Trump’s administration, workers were repeatedly let down, with overtime benefits blocked and efforts to raise the minimum wage opposed. Walz emphasized that these are not opinions but facts, urging the audience to focus on actions rather than empty words.

One of the key points Walz hammered home was the danger posed by Trump’s Project 2025, a blueprint aimed at reshaping America to benefit the wealthy at the expense of the middle class. Walz, drawing on his experience as a football coach, warned that when someone shows you their playbook, you should believe them. Project 2025, he argued, is designed to undermine workers’ rights, slash taxes for the rich, and impose a national sales tax on everyone else, effectively hollowing out the middle class.

Walz didn’t stop at economic issues. He also took on Trump’s plans to dismantle vital social programs like the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and Social Security. He reminded the audience that for many Americans, especially the elderly, these programs are lifelines. Walz recounted Trump’s comments to his wealthy friends at Mar-a-Lago, where he promised tax cuts for the rich, underscoring the stark contrast between Trump’s priorities and the needs of ordinary Americans.

Turning to the future, Walz laid out what he and Kamala Harris plan to do if elected, particularly in supporting unions and workers. He spoke passionately about the importance of union halls as the purest form of democracy, where members can speak freely, elect their leaders, and advocate for their rights. Walz stressed that under their administration, the government would ensure that corporations keep air and water clean, support education that leads to middle-class jobs without crippling debt, and protect children from the threat of gun violence in schools.

One of the most striking parts of Walz’s speech was his discussion on freedom, contrasting his and Harris’s vision with that of Trump and the Republican Party. Walz pointed out that while Republicans once genuinely valued freedom, today’s party seeks to invade every aspect of citizens’ lives, from union halls to schools to doctors’ offices. He argued that true freedom means allowing people to make their own healthcare choices, enabling workers to collectively bargain without government interference, and ensuring safe and fair working conditions.

Fox News, which had initially broadcast the speech, cut away as Walz continued to electrify the crowd, perhaps uncomfortable with the impact his words were having. Despite this, Walz’s message resonated deeply with the union members present, who appreciated his detailed approach and commitment to their cause.

In closing, Walz and Harris released a powerful new ad warning of the dangers of Trump’s Project 2025, framing it as a blueprint for making Trump the most powerful president ever, at the cost of American democracy and the middle class. The ad and the speech together paint a clear picture: under a Harris-Walz administration, the focus will be on strengthening America by supporting its workers, protecting its social safety nets, and preserving true freedom for all.