(CNN) —
Kamala Harris officially launched her 2020 presidential campaign Sunday in her birthplace of Oakland, promising to be a fighter “for the people” and stating that it is time to restore what she views as the loss of American values under President Donald Trump.
“We are here because the American Dream and our American democracy are under attack and on the line like never before,” the California senator said. “We are here at this moment in time because we must answer a fundamental question. Who are we? Who are we as Americans? So, let’s answer that question to the world and each other right here and right now. America: we are better than this.”
In an allusion to Trump’s xenophobic rhetoric, his policies at the border, and his decision to shut down the government in a failed attempt to get his wall, Harris said that “people in power are trying to convince us that the villain in our American story is each other.”
“But that is not our story. That is not who we are. That is not our America,” Harris said without mentioning Trump’s name. “The United States of America is not about us versus them … I’m running to be a President of the people, by the people, for all the people.”
“If I have the honor of being your president, I will tell you this: I am not perfect. Lord knows, I am not perfect,” she said. “But I will always speak with decency and moral clarity and treat all people with dignity and respect. I will lead with integrity. And I will speak the truth.”
She did not dwell on her own potential for a history-making candidacy with her background as a black woman seeking the Democratic nomination.
03:04 - Source: CNN
Avlon: Pence's op-ed is 'way worse than Stockholm syndrome'
Avlon: Pence's op-ed is 'way worse than Stockholm syndrome'
See what security looks like outside US Capitol
PHOTO:
Gov. Cuomo's office
Now playing
Gov. Andrew Cuomo addresses women's allegations
PHOTO:
Gov. Cuomo's Office
Cuomo
Now playing
Cuomo says he has no plans to resign
Elected Republican who supports Biden's bill speaks out
PHOTO:
Alex Brandon/AP
President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting about cancer in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Now playing
'Neanderthal thinking': Biden on states lifting mask restrictions
'Highly misleading at best': Dale reacts to Pence's op-ed
PHOTO:
GREG NASH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Commanding General District of Columbia National Guard Major General William J. Walker testifies before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs/Rules and Administration hearing to examine the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol on Capitol Hill on March 3, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Nash / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GREG NASH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Now playing
DC National Guard commander: 'Unusual' Pentagon restrictions slowed response to Capitol riot
PHOTO:
MANDEL NGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the January 6th insurrection, in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on March 2, 2021. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Now playing
Watch FBI director debunk conspiracy theories pushed by Trump supporters
Abrams on voting rights: We're fighting to protect our democracy from domestic enemies
PHOTO:
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Goya Foods President Robert Unanue speaks at a press conference with Carlos Vecchio, the Venezuelan Ambassador who is recognized by the United States on December 21, 2020 in Doral, Florida. The two held the press conference to discuss details of a recent shipment of humanitarian aid to Venezuela, donated by Goya Foods. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Now playing
Goya CEO under fire for false Trump election claims
PHOTO:
CNN
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) speaks to CNN's Alisyn Camerota about why he thinks that the Republican Party will move on from former President Donald Trump.
Now playing
Kinzinger: Trump is a loser and we will move on
NYC mayor says Gov. Cuomo should resign if allegations are true
PHOTO:
Jeenah Moon/Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 23: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during the daily media briefing at the Office of the Governor of the State of New York on July 23, 2020 in New York City. The Governor said the state liquor authority has suspended 27 bar and restaurant alcohol licenses for violations of social distancing rules as public officials try to keep the coronavirus outbreak under control. (Photo by Jeenah Moon/Getty Images)
Now playing
NYT: Third woman comes forward against Gov. Andrew Cuomo
PHOTO:
Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 25: U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump depart the White House for Baltimore, Maryland on May 25, 2020 in Washington, DC. The Trumps will attend a Memorial Day ceremony at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine despite objections by Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young, whose residents remain under a stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)
Now playing
Trump got vaccinated in secret. Here's why this matters
Kamala Harris' secret weapon: Her sorority sisters
Avlon: Pence's op-ed is 'way worse than Stockholm syndrome'
See what security looks like outside US Capitol
PHOTO:
Gov. Cuomo's office
Now playing
Gov. Andrew Cuomo addresses women's allegations
PHOTO:
Gov. Cuomo's Office
Cuomo
Now playing
Cuomo says he has no plans to resign