Washington — After keeping a low profile following her election defeat, former Vice President Kamala Harris reappeared on the political scene this Wednesday in a speech where she harshly criticised U.S. President Donald Trump and warned that the country is on the brink of a “constitutional crisis.”
Speaking at a gala in her native California, Harris asserted that the “checks and balances” that sustain American democracy have “begun to give way.”
“When they completely collapse—if Congress fails to do its job, or if the Court fails to do its job, or even if both do their part but the president defies them anyway—that’s called a constitutional crisis,” said Harris, who lost the November general election to Trump.
The statements come a day after the Republican’s first 100 days in office and amid uncertainty about the former vice president’s next steps.
Since her defeat at the polls, which was received as a severe blow from which the Democrats have yet to fully recover, Harris has remained out of the public eye, although there is speculation that she could enter the race for governor of California.
Despite delivering a grim analysis—of a government in crisis that “will eventually affect everyone”—Harris acknowledged the “courage” of politicians and activists across the country who are voicing their opposition to Trumpism.
Specifically, the Democrat spoke about judges, whom the administration has labeled “radical,” universities, and named legislators such as Chris Van Hollen, Bernie Sanders, and Corey Booker.
Abandonment of U.S. values
The vice president also accused Trump of having “abandoned” the American values of “equality and inalienable rights” and of seeking to advance a policy of privatising public health care, reducing school funding, and providing financial benefits to the wealthy.
“Remember, this country belongs to us (the Americans), not to those who occupy the White House,” Harris insisted.
Since the November defeat, the Democratic Party has been searching for a cohesive and motivating message for its base, following the unpopular presidency of Joe Biden (2017-2021).
All eyes are now on the midterm elections, which will take place next year, where all 435 seats in the Lower House and a third of those in the Upper House will be up for election.