Former Vice President Kamala Harris spoke on Wednesday night at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, where she discussed her new book 107 Days and shared her thoughts on President Donald Trump’s efforts to deploy National Guard troops in the city.
During her talk, Harris strongly criticized Trump’s move to send the National Guard to protect the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland. She called the plan “an unacceptable attack on America’s constitutional values and principles.” Her comments referred to the ongoing legal battle between local Portland officials and the Trump administration over the use of federal troops at the ICE facility, which has been a flashpoint for protests in recent months.
When moderator Rukaiyah Adams mentioned that Portland had drawn the attention of the federal government, Harris replied sharply, “Yeah, Donald Trump and his cronies.” She then praised the people and leaders of Portland for “achieving a victory,” noting that the legal proceedings over the issue were still continuing.
Outside the venue, a small crowd of protesters gathered. About two dozen people stood in front of the concert hall, chanting slogans like “Cash grab Kamala” and “Kamala, Kamala, you can’t hide.” They criticized her and the Biden administration’s handling of the war in Gaza. Similar protests have followed Harris to other stops on her book tour.
Inside, however, the atmosphere was completely different. The event was sold out, and the audience filled every seat from the front rows to the balcony. When Harris walked on stage, the crowd erupted in loud applause and cheers that lasted several minutes. Her talk was interrupted multiple times by bursts of clapping and shouts of support.
Her book, 107 Days, is a deeply personal account of the 2024 presidential campaign she lost to Donald Trump. The title refers to the length of that campaign — one of the shortest in modern American history. In the book, Harris opens up about her experiences during that turbulent time, including the challenges of connecting with voters in such a brief campaign and her difficult decisions about choosing a running mate. She also discusses President Biden’s declining health during the race and how it affected the campaign’s strategy.
At one point, Harris urged the audience to remain hopeful despite political challenges. “We know what’s at stake. Let’s not lose our optimism about the fight,” she said. “Our democracy depends on our willingness to defend it.”
Her visit to Portland came just a day after Democrats celebrated victories in two major governor races — wins that she said were signs of new energy for a party still recovering from losing control of the Senate and the White House last year. “What about last night!” she exclaimed, smiling as the crowd cheered. “Let’s get our mojo back!”
Although Harris announced earlier this year that she wouldn’t run for governor of California in 2026, speculation about her political future continues to grow. In a recent BBC interview, she hinted that she hasn’t ruled out another run for the presidency.
Meanwhile, outside of politics, her book tour — organized by Literary Arts — continues across the country, drawing large and enthusiastic audiences. Despite the protests, Harris remains focused on sharing her story and encouraging Americans to stay engaged and optimistic about the future of democracy.
