SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Former Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a significant speech on Wednesday in which she sharply criticized President Donald Trump. This address comes amidst ongoing speculation regarding whether she may run for another presidential campaign or pursue the position of California governor.
In her first substantial public remarks since leaving office in January after her electoral defeat to Trump, Harris expressed inspiration from Americans who are resisting Trump’s agenda despite facing threats to their freedoms and livelihoods. “Instead of an administration working to advance America’s highest ideals, we are witnessing the wholesale abandonment of those ideals,” she stated, just a day after Trump marked his 100th day in office.
Prior to this speech, Harris had largely refrained from mentioning Trump by name since her November defeat. During the 15-minute address, she addressed the anxiety and confusion felt by many supporters in light of Trump's presidency while urging against despair. “They are counting on the notion that if they can make some people afraid, it will have a chilling effect on others. But what they have overlooked is that fear is not the only thing that’s contagious,” Harris declared. “Courage is contagious.”
In response to Harris’s remarks, Trump criticized her at a campaign-style rally held in Michigan, humorously labeling her a “great border czar” and referencing familiar applause lines from his campaign. He noted that until she became the Democratic nominee last summer, he had limited knowledge about her.
Harris reframed the perception of Trump’s administration as chaotic, describing it instead as a “high-velocity event,” which represents a concentrated effort from the right to overhaul government. She remarked, “A vessel is being used for the swift implementation of an agenda that has been decades in the making,” pointing to plans to reduce public education funding, shrink government, privatize services, and provide tax breaks for the wealthy.
The former vice president delivered her speech in a welcoming environment, speaking at the 20th anniversary gala for Emerge America, an organization dedicated to recruiting and training Democratic women for political office. This organization has roots connected to Harris’s early political career as the San Francisco district attorney.
Harris’s speech took place in an elegant ballroom of the historic Palace Hotel as she plans to increase her visibility amid the Democratic Party's quest for direction following the recent elections, in which Republicans regained control of Congress. While various prominent Democrats vie for leadership, Harris maintains a unique influence and could significantly impact any future race she chooses to enter.
Throughout her speech, Harris highlighted Democrats who have actively criticized Trump, mentioning a diverse array of lawmakers, including Senators Cory Booker, Chris Van Hollen, Chris Murphy, Bernie Sanders, and Representatives Jasmine Crockett, Maxwell Frost, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. However, she avoided taking a definitive stance on key issues dividing the party, opting instead to convey a message of unity and shared struggle. “I’m not here tonight to offer all the answers,” she admitted, “But I am here to say this: You are not alone and we are all in this together.”
Nonetheless, she cautioned that conditions may worsen before they improve, asserting, “The one check, the one balance, the one power that must not fail is the voice of the people.” Although Harris has not publicly addressed her political future, speculation persists about her potential candidacy for the role of California governor or a second presidential run. She continues fundraising efforts through the Harris Victory Fund, which recently reported $4.5 million in assets.
Harris has emphasized the critical need for Democratic unity as the 2026 midterm elections approach, declaring the necessity to “organize and stop Trump’s agenda while electing Democrats everywhere.” The gala event marked a personal and professional homecoming for Harris, who is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. Observers, including a health care executive, expressed their support, emphasizing that Harris remains a vital voice and leader in the ongoing political fight.
