RICHMOND, Va. — Former Vice President Kamala Harris called on voters to establish 'guardrails' around President Donald Trump's administration during the upcoming midterm elections, delivering a pointed critique of the White House's policies during a book tour stop in Virginia on Monday evening.
Harris, who has been the subject of speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run, spoke for about an hour at the Altria Theater here, fielding questions on a range of issues from immigration enforcement to rising costs of living. Her remarks came amid a national conversation about eroding public trust in government, which she attributed in part to the Trump administration's approach. 'Public trust in government is eroding,' Harris said, according to attendees and reports from the event.
The former vice president expressed deep personal emotions about the current political climate, telling the audience she felt 'sadness, frustration and anger.' She highlighted widespread anxiety among Americans over healthcare costs and grocery prices, emphasizing that the November midterms represent a critical opportunity for change. 'This offers a chance to put guardrails up on the White House,' Harris urged, framing the elections as a way to check the administration's direction.
Harris's appearance was part of her ongoing book tour, where she has discussed her experiences in office and future political plans. In a separate interview with radio host Charlamagne tha God, she vowed to continue her political fight, though she did not explicitly confirm plans for 2028. The Richmond event drew a crowd interested in her perspectives on domestic challenges, with the conversation quickly turning to contentious issues like immigration.
A significant portion of Harris's remarks focused on recent immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota, particularly the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, in January. The incident, which involved federal agents, has sparked outrage and protests across the country. Harris criticized the tactics employed, stating, 'We need immigration enforcement but not what we are witnessing.' She accused the Trump administration of mishandling the aftermath, particularly in its initial characterization of Pretti.
In the days following the shooting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described Pretti as a 'domestic terrorist' in comments to the public. White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller went further, labeling him an 'assassin' who 'tried to murder federal agents.' These statements were based on early reports from the scene, but video footage later circulated that appeared to contradict the official narrative, showing Pretti and Good as bystanders caught in the crossfire during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation.
Noem defended the administration's response during an appearance last week on Fox News with host Sean Hannity. 'We were being relayed information from on the ground from CBP agents and officers that were there,' she said. 'We were using the best information we had at the time, seeking to be transparent with the American people and get them what we knew to be true on the ground.' Noem's explanation underscores the challenges of real-time crisis communication, though critics, including Harris, argue it fueled misinformation.
The Minnesota shooting has ignited nationwide protests, with demonstrators demanding that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement withdraw from the area. In Minneapolis, crowds gathered outside federal buildings, chanting against what they called excessive force. Similar demonstrations have occurred in cities like Chicago and Washington, D.C., amplifying calls for reform in immigration policy under the Trump administration.
Harris also touched on the broader context of the incident, noting that the Trump administration's focus has been on 'destruction' rather than constructive solutions. She pointed to the shooting as emblematic of aggressive enforcement tactics that she believes alienate communities and undermine civil liberties. The former vice president contrasted this with what she described as a need for balanced approaches to immigration that respect due process.
Adding to the scrutiny, former President Joe Biden spoke out against the immigration crackdown in Minnesota, stating that it 'goes against American values.' Biden's comments, delivered in a statement released through his office, echoed concerns raised by civil rights groups and Democratic leaders. Meanwhile, Senator Rand Paul, a Republican, remarked on the erosion of trust following the shooting, saying 'without question' that public confidence has been broken.
The Justice Department has responded to the outcry by launching a federal civil rights investigation into Pretti's death. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the probe during a press conference on Friday, saying the department aims to ensure accountability. 'We are committed to a thorough examination of the facts,' Blanche told reporters, though he declined to speculate on potential outcomes.
Background on the Minnesota incident reveals it occurred during a large-scale operation targeting undocumented immigrants in the Twin Cities area. According to federal reports, agents from Customs and Border Protection and ICE were executing warrants when gunfire erupted. Pretti, 34, and Good, 29, both Minnesota residents, were struck by bullets, with Pretti succumbing to his injuries at a local hospital. The event has raised questions about the rules of engagement for federal agents in domestic settings.
Harris's Richmond speech comes at a pivotal moment in the political calendar, with midterm elections approaching in November 2026. Control of Congress hangs in the balance, and Democrats like Harris are mobilizing voters on issues like immigration and economic pressures. Her tour has included stops in key battleground states, where she has stressed the importance of turnout to counter what she sees as overreach from the executive branch.
Experts note that public trust in institutions has indeed been declining, with polls showing low approval ratings for handling of immigration and economic policy. Harris's call for 'guardrails' aligns with Democratic strategies to frame the midterms as a referendum on Trump's second term, which began in January 2025 after his 2024 victory. Republicans, however, counter that strong enforcement is necessary to secure borders and maintain order.
As investigations continue and protests persist, the Minnesota shooting remains a flashpoint in national debates over immigration. Harris's remarks in Richmond signal her intent to keep these issues front and center, potentially shaping the narrative leading into the midterms. With her book tour ongoing, the former vice president appears poised to play a prominent role in Democratic efforts to regain influence in Washington.
Officials from the Trump administration have not yet responded directly to Harris's comments, but the White House has reiterated its commitment to law enforcement. For now, the focus remains on the federal probe and the broader implications for policy and public sentiment as election season intensifies.