Former Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the audience at the Leading Women Defined Summit in Dana Point, California, on Thursday, April 3. She spoke openly about the current Trump administration, noting that several issues she had previously highlighted during her campaign have emerged, but clarified she was not there to boast.
“There were many things we knew were gonna happen,” Harris stated, having entered the race against Trump in 2024 after former President Joe Biden stepped down. “I’m not gonna say ‘I told you so,'” she remarked, which drew applause from those present.
Founded by former BET CEO Debra Lee, the summit aimed at empowering women of color, and it served as a platform for Harris to discuss the political environment less than 100 days into Trump’s second term.
Harris highlighted significant shifts since 2016, pointing out that under the current administration, “progress and policies have been rolled back” and “effective policies have been denied,” while a widespread “sense of fear” has permeated the nation.
“We are seeing people stay quiet. We are seeing organizations stay quiet. We are seeing capitulating to clearly unconstitutional threats,” Harris said, voicing her concerns about the impact on public discourse and civic participation.
Her comments follow President Trump’s aggressive moves to dismantle Biden-era policies via executive actions. According to White House fact sheets and news reports, Trump rescinded nearly 80 of Biden’s executive orders on his first day in office, with an additional 19 actions reversed in March.
The rescinded policies address a broad spectrum of issues, including those the current administration describes as “radical gender ideology,” climate initiatives dubbed “Green New Deal” policies, labor practices focused on unions, and biotechnology programs from Biden’s administration.
Beyond executive orders, Trump has called for eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, approved layoffs affecting thousands of federal employees, and imposed broad global tariffs, which economic analysts report have negatively influenced the stock market.
The extent and speed of these changes reflect an unprecedented use of executive power. As reported by CBS News, Trump has issued a record 100 executive orders within his first 100 days in office, exceeding the number issued by previous presidents in similar periods.
These executive actions have targeted various policy areas, including efforts to downsize the federal government, reshape trade policies, deregulate fossil fuel industries, and enforce stricter immigration measures. Some orders, such as those aimed at ending birthright citizenship and halting foreign aid, have encountered legal challenges and been temporarily blocked by judges.
The rapid policy reversals align with Trump’s campaign promises. Multiple sources indicate he vowed to “undo almost everything Biden did” through executive orders, with many changes enacted on his first day back in office.
For Harris, who had forewarned about these potential outcomes during her presidential campaign, the current political scenario presents both hurdles and opportunities. During the 2024 campaign, she specifically cautioned voters about Trump’s policies as outlined in Project 2025, warning they would reverse progress, increase consumer prices, and lead to the elimination of the Department of Education, along with significant cuts to Medicaid.
Instead of focusing on vindication, Harris encouraged summit attendees to utilize their “great power” to lead the nation with courage rather than fear. She stressed that people worldwide are observing and relying on them to be “kind, fierce, and united” in addressing current challenges.
The former vice president’s remarks come as Democrats appear to be regaining some momentum. The victory of Judge Susan Crawford in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election is seen as a positive sign for the party, especially since it occurred despite significant financial support for Crawford’s opponent from prominent Trump supporter Elon Musk.
As the Trump administration continues to implement its agenda, Harris’ warnings about the potential repercussions of a second Trump term have become a focal point for Democrats seeking to rally opposition to the current administration’s policies while preparing for future electoral battles.
