Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Tulsi GabbardRepublicans call on DOJ to investigate Netflix over 'Cuties' film Hispanic Caucus campaign arm endorses slate of non-Hispanic candidates Gabbard says she 'was not invited to participate in any way' in Democratic convention MORE (D) officially joined the race for for president on Saturday afternoon at a rally in her home state hosted weeks after she announced her campaign on CNN.

Gabbard took aim at America's foreign policy establishment in her campaign announcement Saturday, blaming politicians in "ivory towers" for U.S. involvement in costly armed conflicts abroad.

"We must stand against powerful politicians from both parties who sit in ivory towers thinking up new wars to wage & new places for people to die. Wasting trillions of dollars, hundreds of thousands of lives, undermining our economy and security, and destroying our middle class," Gabbard said during her address.

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"These powerful politicians dishonor the sacrifices made by every one of our service members, and their families — they are the ones who pay the price for these wars," she added.

The Hawaii lawmaker pointed to her service in the state's Army National Guard as a reason for her desire to seek public office.

"It is this principle of service above self that is at the heart of every soldier," Gabbard told a cheering crowd. "At the heart of every service number. And it is in this spirit, that today I announce my candidacy for president of the United States of America."

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard: It is this principle of service above self, that is at the heart of every soldier. At the heart of every service number. And it is in this spirit, that today I announce my candidacy for President of the United States of America. https://t.co/WPNhZYVLD6 pic.twitter.com/qyZzOK7Izm — CBS News (@CBSNews) February 2, 2019

Gabbard's announcement last month during an interview with CNN's Van Jones placed her in the middle of a crowded and growing field of Democratic candidates vying for the party's nomination, a list which includes Sens. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisJoe Biden looks to expand election battleground into Trump country Fox's Napolitano: Supreme Court confirmation hearings will be 'World War III of political battles' Rush Limbaugh encourages Senate to skip hearings for Trump's SCOTUS nominee MORE (D-Calif.), 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 (D-N.J.), Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenJudd Gregg: The Kamala threat — the Californiaization of America GOP set to release controversial Biden report Biden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? MORE (D-Mass.) and Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE (D-N.Y.).

She faces an uphill battle against candidates with established support from other members of Congress, some of whom have already expressed skepticism toward Gabbard's presidential ambitions.

Gabbard has particularly faced criticism for her involvement with her father's opposition to LGBT rights and her previous meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Sen. Mazie Hirono Mazie Keiko HironoDemocrats unveil plan declaring racism a public health issue Overnight Defense: US, Russia trade blame over Syria incident | Pentagon calls out China's 'counterproductive' military exercises, missile test | Democrats press Esper on COVID-19 response Democrats press Esper on 'concerning' rise in Pentagon's COVID-19 cases MORE (D-Hawaii), the state's senior senator, appeared to dismiss the prospect of supporting Gabbard's candidacy during an MSNBC interview, telling an interviewer that she would be "looking for someone who has a long record of supporting progressive goals."