SAN FRANCISCO — Former Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a passionate address on Wednesday, directly criticizing former President Donald Trump while the political landscape buzzes with speculation about her future ambitions in both gubernatorial and presidential races. This speech, her most significant public statement since leaving office in January, came a day after Trump marked his 100th day in office. In her remarks, Harris expressed inspiration from Americans who resist Trump’s policies despite growing uncertainty and fear.
“Instead of a government committed to promoting our highest values, we are witnessing a startling departure from those principles,” Harris stated. Her focus on the emotional turmoil many of her supporters feel since Trump’s ascendance was meant to offer reassurance. “They expect that instilling fear will silence some voices, yet they underestimate the power of courage,” she added.
Harris’s comments followed a rally where Trump took aim at her, mocking her credentials and qualifications. Up until last summer, when she became the vice-presidential nominee, Trump claimed he had little knowledge of her policies or past leadership. In a twist, Harris urged Americans to view Trump’s administration not as chaotic but as the result of years of strategic planning, aimed at fundamentally reshaping governance.
“This administration serves as a means to implement a decades-long agenda focused on undermining public education, scaling back governmental responsibilities, and privatizing services, all while favoring the wealthiest,” she noted, calling it a “high-velocity event.”
Harris took center stage at the gala for Emerge America, an organization she helped cultivate in her early political journey, which supports Democratic women seeking office. Speaking in the elegant Palace Hotel, she underscored the need for unity as the Democratic Party grapples with its direction after last year’s elections delivered a setback.
While she recognized several prominent Democrats for their vocal resistance to Trump, she stopped short of positioning herself within the ongoing debates about the party’s future. “I’m not here tonight to have all the answers,” she remarked, emphasizing collective strength and solidarity. However, she cautioned her audience that challenges are likely to intensify.
“The critical check and balance in our democracy is the voice of the people, and it cannot afford to falter,” she stressed. Despite ongoing speculation about her next steps—whether to vie for governor of California or re-enter the presidential race—Harris opted not to clarify her political intentions during this speech.
Her fundraising efforts remain active, with the Harris Victory Fund reportedly holding approximately $4.5 million as of late March. Recent communications from Harris have conveyed a clear message on the necessity for Democrats to unify against Trump’s agenda leading into the crucial midterm elections in 2026.
Harris’s reemergence comes against the backdrop of a need for strategic organization within her party. “Now is the time to rally and stop the advances of Trump and his allies,” she asserted in a recent fundraising appeal.
For many in attendance, including health care executive Lisa Gotbhi, Harris embodies hope and resilience. “Her loss was a shock, but she remains a vital voice and leader for us. It’s time to re-engage in the fight,” Gotbhi commented, capturing the sentiment among supporters eager for Harris’s return to the political forefront.