Sen. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook McEnany says Juneteenth is a very ‘meaningful’ day to Trump MORE (D-Calif.), who’s running for president in 2020, made sweeping calls for unity and better opportunities for middle- and working-class Americans, while indirectly taking swipes at President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE’s “insincere appeals to unity” ahead of his State of the Union address.
Harris delivered a prebuttal on Facebook Live about an hour before Trump’s prime-time, televised speech at 9 p.m. ET. In her nearly eight-minute speech, Harris didn’t address the president by name, but made pointed criticisms about his policies that she argued would continue to divide the country.
“If last year’s remarks are any guide, we’re in store not for a speech that’ll seek to draw us together as Americans, but one that seeks to score political points by driving us apart,” Harris said on Tuesday night. “We will hear insincere appeals to unity, but what we need is a policy agenda that calls on better angels of our nature.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Harris also called for “welcoming” refugees and immigrants into the country and specifically targeted Trump’s push for a wall along the southern border.
Trump’s State of the Union address was postponed until after the 35-day partial government shutdown ended. The closure stemmed from an impasse over Trump’s demand for $5.7 billion in funding for his border wall.
Click Here: Bape Kid 1st Camo Ape Head rompers
“I want everyone to remember this: The strength of our union has never been found in the walls we build,” Harris said. “It’s in our diversity and unity, and that is our power.”
In her live-streamed speech, Harris also made appeals for leaders and lawmakers to address climate change, criminal justice reform and “the realities of racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, homophobia and transphobia.”
Harris has been an outspoken critic of Trump and has garnered national attention for her scrutiny of the president’s nominees as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
ADVERTISEMENT
The California Democrat announced her presidential campaign on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and held her first rally a week later in her hometown of Oakland, Calif. Prior to her election to the Senate in 2016, Harris served as California attorney general. She is also a former federal prosecutor.
Harris made headlines in a recent CNN town hall when she said she’d support eliminating private health insurance companies. She’s a co-sponsor on Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE’s (I-Vt.) “Medicare for All” legislation that would implement a government-run single-payer health care system and get rid of private insurance.
A number of other White House hopefuls are also supportive of “Medicare for all,” but they are split on whether they back doing away with private insurance companies.
Democrat Stacey Abrams, who narrowly lost the Georgia governor race in 2018, will deliver the Democrats’ response to Trump’s State of the Union Tuesday night. California Attorney General Xavier BecerraXavier BecerraOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Park Police chief insists tear gas wasn’t used despite reports| Energy headquarters to reopen next week OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump official violated ethics rules in seeking EPA job for relative, watchdog finds| Trump administration aims to buy uranium for reserve ‘as soon as possible,’ official says| 18 states fight conservative think tank effort to freeze fue 18 states fight conservative think tank effort to freeze fuel efficiency standards MORE (D) will give the Spanish-language Democratic response.
And Sanders, who is still weighing another White House run in 2020, will deliver his own response following Abrams’s comments. This will be the third time Sanders gives his own rebuttal to the televised annual address.
Harris is running in a crowded Democratic field that includes fellow Sens. Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-N.J.), Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) and Kirsten GillibrandKirsten GillibrandWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Warren, Pressley introduce bill to make it a crime for police officers to deny medical care to people in custody Senate Dems press DOJ over coronavirus safety precautions in juvenile detention centers MORE (D-N.Y.).
“California liberal Kamala Harris is so blinded by her opposition to President Trump that, before he can speak about his bipartisan agenda at the State of the Union, she tried to advance her divisive leftist agenda of government-run health care, higher taxes, and open borders,” Republican National Committee spokesman Steve Guest said in a statement.