Sen. Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE will officially launch his Democratic presidential campaign Saturday at an event in his hometown of Newark, N.J., where he previously served as mayor for seven years.

Booker will hold a "hometown kickoff" in downtown Newark midday Saturday, with stops in Iowa, Georgia and Nevada planned for the coming days.

The Associated Press reported that Booker is planning to use the event to frame why he would be the best candidate to take on President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE next year, while the location allows him to appear before a crowd in friendly territory.

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Booker's campaign manager described the candidate's strategy to reporters as a slow-burning fire that would “organize and get hot at the end," according to the AP.

“We’re trying to win the election — we’re not trying to win a news cycle,” Addisu Demissie said.

Booker is currently polling lower than several other Democratic hopefuls, including Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Bernie Sanders warns of 'nightmare scenario' if Trump refuses election results Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE (I-Vt.) and former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' MORE, who has not formally announced a bid.

The New Jersey senator has also been overtaken in the key primary state of Iowa in recent days by South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Hillicon Valley: FBI, DHS warn that foreign hackers will likely spread disinformation around election results | Social media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day | Trump to meet with Republican state officials on tech liability shield Facebook takes down Chinese network targeting Philippines, Southeast Asia and the US MORE (D), who has enjoyed a surge in some polling.

On Friday, Booker torched Trump's reported plans to pardon Customs and Border Protection (CBP) chief Kevin McAleenan if CBP took any action to stop illegal migration for which McAleenan was deemed legally liable.

CNN reported Friday that two anonymous sources close to the situation said Trump told McAleenan that he "would pardon him if he ever went to jail for denying U.S. entry to migrants." The Department of Homeland Security quickly issued a statement denying that the president had suggested McAleenan take any illegal measures to secure the border.

“That should shake every American. We basically have a president telling people to break the law and that he will pardon you,” Booker told MSNBC's Joy Reid.

“And again, we’re sitting in Newark, where kids are going to prison for things that two of the last three presidents admitted to doing, and nobody’s pardoning them,” Booker continued, referring to smoking marijuana.