Former Vice President Kamala Harris openly discussed the Trump administration’s actions at the Leading Women Defined Summit in Dana Point, California, on Thursday, April 3. She noted that many of her previous campaign warnings have come true, but clarified she was not there to boast.
“There were many things we knew were gonna happen,” noted Harris, who ran against Donald Trump in the 2024 election after then-President Joe Biden stepped out of the race. “I’m not gonna say ‘I told you so,'” she added, which received applause and cheers from the audience.
The summit, an initiative by former BET CEO Debra Lee, was aimed at empowering women of color. It provided Harris a venue to discuss the political environment less than 100 days into Trump’s second term.
Harris pointed out significant transformations since 2016, highlighting 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 emerged across the nation.
“We are seeing people stay quiet. We are seeing organizations stay quiet. We are seeing capitulating to clearly unconstitutional threats,” she continued, expressing worry over the impact on public discourse and civic participation.
Her statements coincide with President Trump’s aggressive efforts to dismantle policies from the Biden era through executive actions. According to White House fact sheets and various news outlets, Trump rescinded nearly 80 executive orders from Biden on his first day in office, followed by 19 additional executive actions revoked in March.
The rescinded policies cover a broad spectrum, including initiatives related to what the administration labels as “radical gender ideology,” climate plans referred to as “Green New Deal” policies, labor practices centered on unions, and biotechnology programs from the previous administration.
Beyond reversing executive orders, Trump has also called for the removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, approved layoffs affecting thousands of federal workers, and enacted extensive global tariffs, which economic experts note have adversely affected the stock market.
The scale and speed of these changes represent an unprecedented use of executive power. According to CBS News, Trump has issued a record 100 executive orders within his first 100 days in office, surpassing the number issued by previous presidents in similar timeframes.
These executive actions have targeted multiple policy areas, including efforts to reduce the size of the federal government, reshape trade policies, deregulate fossil fuel industries, and implement stricter immigration measures. However, some orders, such as those aimed at ending birthright citizenship and halting foreign aid, have faced legal challenges and been temporarily halted by judges.
The rapid policy reversals are consistent with Trump’s campaign promises to “undo almost everything Biden did” via executive orders, with many changes implemented on his first day back in office.
For Harris, who had forewarned about these potential outcomes during her presidential campaign, the current political climate presents both challenges and opportunities. During the 2024 campaign, she specifically cautioned voters about Trump’s policies as outlined in Project 2025, warning they would reverse progress, raise consumer prices, and lead to the elimination of the Department of Education, along with significant Medicaid cuts.
However, rather than focusing on vindication, Harris encouraged summit attendees to utilize their “great power” to lead the nation with courage rather than fear. She emphasized that people across the globe are observing and counting on them to be “kind, fierce, and united” in response to current challenges.
The former vice president’s remarks come as Democrats appear to be gaining some momentum. The victory of Judge Susan Crawford in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election is viewed as a positive sign for the party, particularly as it occurred despite significant financial backing for Crawford’s opponent from high-profile Trump supporter Elon Musk.
As the Trump administration continues implementing its agenda, Harris’ warnings about the potential consequences of a second Trump term have become a focal point for Democrats seeking to rally opposition to the current administration’s policies while building toward future electoral contests.
