Assailing President Donald Trump for "a crisis of leadership," former Obama Cabinet member Julian Castro joined the 2020 presidential race Saturday as the rush of Democrats making early moves to challenge the incumbent accelerates, while anticipation grows around bigger names still considering a White House run.
Castro, who could end up being the only Latino in what is shaping up to be a crowded Democratic field, made immigration a centerpiece of his announcement in his hometown of San Antonio, less than 200 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.
Two days after the president visited the border to promote his promised wall, Castro mocked Trump for claiming that the U.S. faces an "invasion" from its ally to the south.
"He called it a national security crisis," Castro said. "Well, there is a crisis today.
It's a crisis of leadership. Donald Trump has failed to uphold the values of our great nation."
Castro, the 44-year-old grandson of a Mexican immigrant, said he was running for president "because it's time for new leadership, because it's time for new energy and it's time for a new commitment to make sure that the opportunities that I've had are available to every American."
He argued for securing the border in a "smart and humane way." "There is no way in hell that caging babies is a smart or a right or good way to do it. We say no to building a wall and say yes to building community. We say no to scapegoating immigrants, and yes to 'Dreamers,' yes to keeping families together."
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