Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters (Calif.) has denied that she is gearing up for a 2020 White House run, saying she has "no presidential ambition."
Young progressive Democrats have been pushing for Waters to launch a presidential bid after the congresswoman has consistently called for President Donald Trump's impeachment, the Hill reported.
"I said, jokingly, 'If the millennials wanted me to do it, I'd do it,'" Waters told the Hill. "But it's a joke."
In an April article, a Salon editor listed multiple reasons why Waters should run for president. The American Mirror also did a highlight piece on her recent trip to New Hampshire and alluded that she may be taking the hype for a presidential bid seriously.
"I have no presidential ambition," Waters said in response.
Waters has become one of Trump's harshest critics during his campaign and term, and shows no indication of backing off. She explained her stream of criticism was stemming from what she learned about Trump during his campaign for president.
"I was absolutely appalled by what I learned about Trump during the campaign and the way he conducted himself, the way he treated women and the handicapped, and the way he basically had an agenda that polarized our society," Water said. "So out of that, I decided to speak up, and to speak out, and to let others know how I felt."
Waters has opposed Trump's presidency by boycotting his inauguration, calling for his impeachment, and accusing him of colluding with the Russian government without evidence. Waters has held strongly to her belief that Trump is part of a "Kremlin Klan," which includes other administration members like Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and White House senior advisor Jared Kushner.
Waters' outspoken anti-Trump stance has turned her into a progressive darling, appealing mostly to millennials. Waters has identified with her base in turn, telling them that she was once a millennial.
"I've been speaking out and then the millennials adopted me," Waters said. "I didn't have any idea that they were paying attention, or what I was saying was resonating with them. They started to call me 'Auntie Maxine,' and to tweet, and go on Facebook, and use social media, not only to show that they were pleased that I was speaking truth to power, but they wanted to engage."
"I will continue to speak out," she said. "And I do believe that this will lead to impeachment."