Sen. 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.) on Sunday delivered a speech officially kicking off her 2020 presidential campaign by offering criticism of 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 and touting progressive policies, including the Green New Deal and “Medicare for all.”
Gillibrand, speaking in New York in front of Trump International Hotel & Tower, called Trump a “coward” and said the hotel is “a shrine to greed, division and vanity,” according to CNN. “The people of this country deserve a president worthy of your bravery, a president who not only sets an example but follows yours,” she added.
“Your bravery inspires me every day, and that is why I’m running for president of the United States,” Gillibrand continued.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand officially kicks off campaign in NYC: “President Trump… demonizes the vulnerable and he punches down. He puts his name in bold on every building. He does all of this because he wants you to believe he is strong. He is not. Our president is a coward.” pic.twitter.com/vzJqTXjBgJ
— The Hill (@thehill) March 24, 2019
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Gillibrand announced in January that she was forming an exploratory committee for president and said last week that she would officially launch her campaign. She has thus far lagged behind her opponents seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, with candidates including Sens. 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 (I-Vt.), 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.) and 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.) consistently leading her in polling.
Gillibrand on Sunday also touted her voting record in the Senate, describing herself as having more of an anti-Trump record “than anyone else in the Senate,” according to Politico.
She added, however, that she is “not running for president because of who I’m fighting against” but “because of who I’m running for.”
CNN reported that Gillibrand also promoted the Green New Deal, universal pre-K, Medicare for all and national paid leave as policies she would pursue if elected president.
Politico reported that Gillibrand called the Green New Deal, which seeks to fight climate change by reducing carbon emissions to zero, “this generation’s moonshot.”
“We can’t afford not to achieve this,” Gillibrand said. “And we don’t have more time to waste.”