Harris hints at 2028 run, scolds trump on global alliances
Kamala Harris offered a carefully calibrated response Friday, fueling speculation about a potential presidential bid in 2028, while simultaneously delivering a sharp critique of Donald Trump’s foreign policy record.
‘Thinking about it’ – a tentative step towards a future campaign
Speaking before the National Action Network in New York City, Harris stated she was ‘thinking about’ a run, echoing a previous comment by Sharpton, but emphasizing her commitment to serving the American people. ‘It’s got to be about the American people,’ she declared, highlighting her extensive travels across the country, particularly in the South, and framing her consideration within the context of ‘how can the best job be done for the American people.’
A nation ‘not working’ – harris’s core argument
She painted a stark picture of a nation where ‘the status quo is not working and hasn’t been working for a long time,’ a sentiment bolstered by her observation of struggles faced by many Americans. ‘We can’t lose,’ Harris asserted, signaling a clear dissatisfaction with the current administration’s performance.
Trump’s ‘war of choice’ – a direct assault
The former Vice President didn’t shy away from direct criticism of Trump’s approach to Iran, branding it a ‘war of choice.’ ‘While he struts around boasting about how he will annihilate a whole people,’ Harris stated, ‘what he is in fact doing… is making us weaker, unreliable and less influential.’
Voting rights under threat – a call to action
Adding to her concerns, Harris voiced alarm over the erosion of voting rights, warning of a Supreme Court decision that could effectively dismantle the Voting Rights Act’s Section 2. ‘They have been doing the work for years of building a supreme court that is configured as we now have it, and they’re about to make a decision on section 2 of the Voting Rights Act,’ she warned, highlighting the potential impact on minority representation. ‘I am sad to say, I do believe they are going to kill it, and that will mean that the legal tool that we have to be able to litigate in a court what are clearly racist-influenced laws to prevent certain people from voting – we’re going to lose the tool that we have had before.’
A gathering of democratic hopefuls
Harris’s remarks came amidst a bustling convention for the National Action Network, drawing attention to a growing field of potential Democratic contenders for the 2028 election. Alongside Sharpton, figures like Governor Wes Moore, Governor JB Pritzker, and Representative Ro Khanna were present, signaling a concerted effort to shape the narrative heading into the midterm races. The event underscored a growing sense of urgency within the Democratic party to position itself for the long game.
Looking ahead
Harris urged voters to check their registration status and polling locations, emphasizing the necessity of proactive engagement. ‘Don’t wait until election day to see if, for example, your name got purged from the rolls,’ she urged. The appearance marks a significant step in Harris’s ongoing consideration of a future presidential bid, and a pointed reminder of the challenges facing the nation.