Kamala Harris criticized Donald Trump in a speech in San Francisco last night, noting that his administration has continued the "wholesale abandonment" of the highest ideal of the United States.
Harris targeted the president's agenda as he spoke at the 20th anniversary party of the organization that recruited and trained Democratic women to run for office. In the 15-minute speech, Harris reflected the fear and anxiety caused by Trump's tactics and praised those who have been standing on them.
"What they expect is that if they can make some people feel fear, it will have a fearful effect on others," she said. "But what they ignore is that fear is not the only thing that is infectious. Courage is infectious. American courage is integrated with the biggest artificial economic crisis in modern presidential history."
Harris called Trump's tariffs "reckless" and said they hurt workers and families, as well as American businesses. She added that the tariffs “as I expected, obviously are inviting a recession.”
In his speech, Harris pointed out that Republicans are not just causing "absolute chaos." Instead, she said the government is following a calculation plan.
"In fact, what we're witnessing is a high-speed event," she said. "If the vessels are used to quickly implement the agenda that has been made for decades. Cut the agenda of public education. Shrink the agenda of government and privatizing its services. All of these agendas are giving the richest tax breaks among us.
She continued: "It is an agenda, a narrow, selfish vision of America, who punished the tellers of truth, favored loyalists, held their own power, and allowed everyone else to support themselves. All gave up their allies and retreated from the world."
Harris added that what we are currently experiencing “is exactly what they imagined about America.” She said there is a risk of a constitutional crisis if the courts and Congress do not support the president.
“It’s a crisis that ultimately affects everyone,” she said. “Because it means rules that protect our fundamental rights and freedoms that ensure each of us has a say in how government works, which will no longer matter.”
The former vice president warned that if something does happen, “a check, a balance, the power that must fail is the voice of the people.”
In his speech, Harris praised Democrats for "speaking" with moral clarity. She summoned the names of Cory Booker, Chris Van Hollen, Chris Murphy, Bernie Sanders, Jasmine Crockett, Maxwell Frost and Alexander Ocasio Cortez for their efforts.
Harris has kept a low profile since losing the presidential election last year. Last night’s speech represented her longest remarks since she left the office in January. It is speculated that Harris can take office again, including the governor of California, but she did not address her future in her speech. "Things could get worse and then get better. But we're ready."