Former Vice President Kamala Harris is set to offer pointy criticism of President Trump and his policies on Wednesday in her first major speech since her departure.
“She will reflect on America’s enduring promises and issue a call to action in the face of an urgent and escalating crisis facing reckless economic policies and American institutions and global leadership,” according to a person with knowledge of the speech that openly called for Harris’ speech.
The speech, which is expected to be her most broader statement since losing the November presidential election and taking office in January, comes as Harris is considering whether to take part in the 2026 California governor race to replace the Gov. Gavin Newsom government.
Harris, 60, is not expected to make a decision until the end of the summer. This prompted delays that spurred criticism from fellow Democrats who argued that politicians could not sit on the sidelines at key moments in the future of the nation and nation.
Harris’ speech will be held at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco at the 20th anniversary gala of Emelge, a training program for female candidates aimed at increasing the number of Democratic women in elected offices. The group was co-founded by Andrea Dew Steele and advised Harris’ successful 2003 campaign for the San Francisco district attorney.
The former vice president is expected to talk about Emelge’s efforts to elect women, offering the most substantive statement he has ever had about the Trump administration.
“She expands her theme of ‘Courage is contagious’ and celebrates many Americans who show courage, the rest of their voices and vigilance,” according to a source familiar with the speech.
Harris has maintained something relatively unremarkable since his departure. She met with firefighters and volunteers in Altadena hours after attending Trump’s inauguration, and was exposed to Trump administration policies when she received an award from the NAACP in February.
Earlier this month, she denounced a surprise appearance at a national conference of black female leaders, including business owners and politicians, at the Oceanfront Resort in Dana Point, denounced the rollback of fundamental rights under Trump without giving him a name.
“Our commitment to lifting up each other, lifting up our community, lifting up our nation has not changed,” Harris told a major women’s definition meeting. “Now, what has changed since 2016: We are in the midst of seeing progress rewind.
Harris pointed to a decline in protection for minorities, women, the LGBTQ+ community, and hinted at concerns such as the central theme of the 2024 presidential election.
“I’m not here, I’m saying, ‘I said,'” she said. “I swore I wasn’t going to say that.”
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