In her first major address since November’s election loss, former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a blistering critique of Donald Trump and his allies on Wednesday, warning that their rapid political actions are part of a long-planned conservative strategy to reshape America for the wealthy and well-connected.
Speaking to a packed audience at an event hosted by Emerge, a group that trains Democratic women for public office, Harris accused Trump of being a vessel for a right-wing agenda aimed at slashing public education, shrinking and privatizing government, rewarding loyalists, and suppressing dissent.
“What we are, in fact, witnessing is a high-velocity event, where a vessel is being used for the swift implementation of an agenda that has been decades in the making,” she declared in San Francisco.
Harris painted a stark picture of a political movement intent on consolidating power through fear and intimidation, targeting universities, the judiciary, and other pillars of democracy to silence opposition. “They punish truth-tellers, favor loyalists, cash in on their power, and leave everyone to fend for themselves,” she said.
Trump’s tumultuous first 100 days back in office have been marked by a flurry of executive orders and controversial decisions, sparking backlash over perceived assaults on democratic norms and constitutional checks and balances. While his base remains energized, polls indicate growing national unease with his leadership.
Harris, who has kept a relatively low profile since leaving office in January, is widely speculated to be weighing a 2026 run for California governor or even a 2028 presidential bid.
In an emotionally charged moment, she pushed back against fear tactics, urging Americans to find strength in solidarity: “Fear isn’t the only thing that’s contagious. Courage is contagious. The courage of all these Americans inspires me.”
