Former Vice President Kamala Harris sharply criticized President Donald Trump's trade policies on Wednesday, warning that his sweeping tariff regime is "clearly inviting a recession" and characterizing his administration as a "self-serving vision of America" that threatens the country's democratic foundations.
Speaking at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, Harris delivered her most direct rebuke yet of Trump's second-term agenda. Addressing a packed ballroom of Democratic donors at a gala hosted by Emerge America, Harris said, "Some people are describing what's been happening in recent months as absolute chaos. And of course I understand why. It's certainly true of those tariffs."
Calling Trump's economic strategy the "greatest man-made economic crisis in modern presidential history," Harris accused him of raising costs on American families and shrinking retirement accounts. she said these tariffs are “reckless", adding that they are hurting small businesses and jeopardizing the job market.
The former vice president, who lost her 2024 bid for the presidency to Trump, has largely stayed out of the national spotlight since leaving Washington. Wednesday's remarks marked her most high-profile appearance since the election and signal a potential reentry into political life ahead of a possible run for California governor or a 2028 presidential campaign.
Throughout her remarks, Harris sought to rally Democrats by highlighting examples of political resistance. She praised Sen. Chris Van Hollen's advocacy for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a deportee the Maryland senator visited in El Salvador, and commended Sen. Cory Booker for his 25-hour Senate speech condemning Trump policies.
Harris also lauded Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders for drawing large crowds in Republican strongholds during their "Fighting Oligarchy" tour, saying the progressive leaders have "been speaking with moral clarity about this moment."
Describing the early months of Trump's second term, Harris warned of what she called a growing "constitutional crisis," warning that "the checks and balances on which we have historically relied are beginning to buckle."
"It would mean that the rules that protect our fundamental rights and freedoms, that ensure each of us has a say about how our government works, will no longer matter," Harris said. She argued that Trump's presidency is built around punishing dissent and rewarding loyalty. "They punish truth tellers, favor loyalists, cash in on their power and leave everyone to fend for themselves."
The appearance comes as Harris weighs whether to launch a gubernatorial bid in California next year. A POLITICO-UC Berkeley poll suggests her entry could reshape the field, with some candidates already considering exits if she joins the race. Her timeline for a decision reportedly runs through late summer.
Her reemergence has also stirred discussion among national Democrats about 2028. While she made no explicit reference to another presidential run, Harris hinted at staying active. "We are ready for it," she told the crowd, closing with a warning: "Things are probably going to get worse before they get better."
Harris, now based in Los Angeles, has maintained a careful public profile. In recent weeks, she appeared at the NAACP Image Awards, several Broadway shows, and was met with loud cheers at an Inglewood church service on Easter weekend. Her growing visibility in California has not gone unnoticed.
