Former Vice President Kamala Harris made her first significant public appearance since leaving the White House, addressing a gala for Emerge America in San Francisco on April 30, 2025. In her speech, she sharply criticized President Trump’s tariff policies, calling them "reckless" and warning that they could lead the country into a recession.
Harris expressed concern over the economic chaos she believes the tariffs are causing. "Some people are describing what’s been happening in recent months as absolute chaos," she said. "It’s certainly true of those tariffs. Tariffs that — as I predicted — are clearly inviting a recession." She described the situation as the "greatest man-made economic crisis in modern presidential history," and urged Americans to stand against these policies, which she argued will drive up everyday costs and hurt small businesses and retirement accounts.
This event marked a notable moment for Harris, who has kept a low profile since leaving office in January. Her comments come as Trump reaches the 100-day mark of his second term, amid reports of a contracting U.S. economy. In her speech, she also reflected on her 2024 campaign against Trump, where she focused on the dangers of his return to power.
Harris didn’t limit her critique to economic issues. She condemned Trump’s broader agenda, calling it "a narrow, self-serving vision of America" that punishes truth-tellers and favors loyalists. She warned that if the system of checks and balances in the government collapses, it could lead to a constitutional crisis, affecting everyone.
The former vice president applauded those speaking out against the Trump administration, including Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, who highlighted a deportation case, and Senator Cory Booker, who made a lengthy speech against Trump’s policies. Harris also recognized the efforts of Representatives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders for rallying support in traditionally conservative states.
Looking ahead, Harris is reportedly considering a future in politics, possibly eyeing a run for governor of California or another presidential bid in 2028. She ended her speech with a cautionary note, saying, "things are probably going to get worse before they get better," but expressed confidence that people are ready to face those challenges.