Harris Declares the System “Broken”

In her first major interview since the 2024 election, former Vice President Kamala Harris said she has no plans to run for public office, calling the American political system “broken.”

Speaking with The Late Show’s Stephen Colbert, she reflected on her decision not to run for California governor and voiced deep frustration with how democracy is being defended under Donald Trump’s second term.

Stepping Away from the Inside Track

Harris explained that throughout her career she believed real change required working within the system.

But for now, she’s choosing to step outside it. “I don’t want to go back in the system. I think it’s broken,” she said, emphasizing that she wants to spend her time listening to people rather than campaigning for their votes.

Democracy’s Fragility on Full Display

The former vice president admitted she once had faith that America’s democratic institutions were strong enough to withstand political storms.

Now, she worries they are weaker than expected. “Our systems aren’t as strong as they need to be,” she warned, calling the moment a test of the nation’s democratic resilience.

No Gubernatorial Run for California

Harris recently ruled out a run for California governor, despite being a favorite among potential candidates.

She told Colbert the decision wasn’t made lightly, but ultimately, she concluded her leadership would not take the form of elected office, at least for now.

The “Capitulation” She Didn’t Expect

When asked about Trump’s policies, Harris said she anticipated some of his moves, like Medicaid cuts and targeting political opponents, but was blindsided by what she called the “capitulation” of people tasked with defending democracy.

She was particularly struck by how quickly some leaders abandoned their duty to safeguard democratic norms.

Calling Out Political Passivity

Harris accused many in Congress of effectively surrendering in the face of Trump’s agenda, particularly regarding efforts to shrink the Department of Education.

“They are just sitting on their hands,” she said, criticizing lawmakers for hiding behind the idea of “riding out the storm” instead of taking meaningful action.

A Campaign in Fast Forward

Her upcoming memoir, 107 Days, recounts the whirlwind of launching a presidential campaign with barely three and a half months to prepare after Joe Biden dropped out of the race.

Harris said she was acutely aware of the limited time and the need to make every moment count.

Using Her Voice Beyond the Ballot

Harris believes her current freedom from elected office gives her a unique platform to connect with Americans.

In an era of political anxiety, she wants to remind people of their own agency and collective power, without the filter of an election campaign.

Refusing to Name a Democratic Leader

Pressed to identify the leader of the Democratic Party, Harris declined, insisting the responsibility to move the country forward can’t rest on one person’s shoulders. “It’s really on all of our shoulders,” she said, calling for a shared sense of accountability.

A Mission to Rebuild Faith

While she’s stepping back from the electoral arena, Harris sees her role as helping to restore hope and political engagement.

She wants to inspire Americans to push back against complacency and demand better from those in power, whether they hold office or not.