Warren on what has changed since she opted not to run in 2016: ‘Donald Trump’

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) fielded questions about her 2020 plans on Friday during an appearance at a historically black college, where she emphasized a renewed focus on political activism after President Trump’s election.

Speaking at Dillard University in New Orleans, Warren was asked what may have changed since she opted not to run for president in 2016, The Associated Press reported.

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“Two words: Donald Trump,” Warren responded during a Q&A panel hosted by Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Warren then shifted to discussing other topics including the upcoming midterm elections in November, saying they are an opportunity to halt the president’s agenda in Congress. 

Warren gets a question about why she didn’t run in 2016 and whether anything has changed since then. “Two words: Donald Trump.” But she then pivots to attacking the Kavanaugh nomination.

— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) August 3, 2018 

The Massachusetts senator is among several Senate Democrats widely viewed as potential candidates during the next White House race.

Warren, 69, is up for reelection to her Senate seat this year and had told reporters in April that she planned to serve her full six-year term if reelected in November.

“I am not running for president of the United States. That’s my plan,” Warren said at the time.

Warren, a progressive firebrand, is considered a top potential Democratic contender in 2020, along with fellow Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

Warren was one of several potential candidates, including Booker and Harris, who spoke at the progressive Netroots Nation conference in New Orleans this week.

The annual gathering has been a top speaking spot for past Democratic contenders, including former President Obama and Sanders during his 2016 bid.

Also speaking at Netroots Nation this week was Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D), the self-described democratic socialist who won a surprise victory over longtime Rep. Joseph Crowley (N.Y.), the No. 4 House Democrat, in a Democratic primary in New York in June.