Former Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro took aim at President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE while announcing his Democratic presidential bid on Saturday, saying the U.S. is facing a leadership "crisis."

Speaking to supporters in Texas, the former San Antonio mayor and Obama Cabinet official accused Trump of failing to uphold America's values with his policies on immigration and calls for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

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"There is a crisis today — it’s a crisis of leadership. Donald Trump has failed to uphold the values of our great nation," Castro told hundreds of supporters in San Antonio.

"Yeah, we have to have border security," Castro added. "But there's a smart, and a humane way to do it. And there is no way in hell that caging children is keeping us safe."

Castro also rebuked the president's attacks on the press during his speech, thanking members of the media who attended the rally and calling the press "the friend of the truth" in America.

"There was a time when Joaquin and I thought we were going to go into journalism, so I know that the press work hard and that they are the friend of the truth in this country," he said, referring to his twin brother, Rep. Joaquin Castro Joaquin CastroHispanic Caucus members embark on 'virtual bus tour' with Biden campaign Hispanic caucus report takes stock of accomplishments with eye toward 2021 Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D-Texas). "Thank you very much for being here."

Julián Castro used his speech Saturday announcing a White House bid to cast himself as a progressive on issues like health care and climate change, while also focusing on the topics of inequality and racial justice.

He addressed the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of police in recent years, drawing contrast to the treatment of Charleston, S.C., church shooter Dylann Roof.

"If police in Charleston can arrest Dylann Roof after he murdered nine people worshiping at Bible study without hurting him, then don’t tell me that Michael Brown, and Tamir Rice, and Aiyana Jones, and Eric Garner, and Jason Pero, and Stephon Clark, and Sandra Bland shouldn’t still be alive today," Castro said to cheers from the crowd.

Castro: "If police in Charleston can arrest Dylann Roof...without hurting him, then don’t tell me that Michael Brown, and Tamir Rice, and Aiyana Jones, and Eric Garner, and Jason Pero, and Stephon Clark, and Sandra Bland shouldn’t still be alive today." pic.twitter.com/JV0E2ylNhN — David Mack (@davidmackau) January 12, 2019

Later in the speech he went on to outline his first action as president: An executive order returning the U.S. to the Paris climate accord, signed under the Obama administration during Castro's time at HUD.

"The biggest threat to our prosperity in the 21st century is climate change," he told the crowd. "As president, my first executive order will recommit the United States to the Paris climate accord."

He also pledged support for other progressive positions, including a "Medicare for all" single-payer health care system as well as universal prekindergarten in the U.S.

"As president, we’ll make PreK4USA happen — universal prekindergarten for all children whose parents want it, so that all of our nation’s students can get a strong start," Castro said.

Castro joins what is expected to be a crowded Democratic presidential field in 2020.

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-Hawaii) announced Friday night that she has decided to launch a bid, telling CNN's Van Jones she would make a formal announcement in the coming days.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenWarren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon No new taxes for the ultra rich — fix bad tax policy instead MORE (D-Mass) also announced an exploratory bid for president at the beginning of the year, while other Democrats are expected to jump into the race soon.