SAN DIEGO — Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D), who’s considered a potential presidential candidate in 2020, took aim at Washington, D.C., and the White House in a Saturday speech to thousands of Democratic activists and officials.

At the California Democratic Party’s convention in San Diego, Garcetti recounted his trip to South Carolina — an early presidential primary state — where he said Americans are more focused on better jobs and health care than on divides between the Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Warning signs flash for Lindsey Graham in South Carolina MORE and Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersNYT editorial board remembers Ginsburg: She 'will forever have two legacies' Two GOP governors urge Republicans to hold off on Supreme Court nominee Sanders knocks McConnell: He's going against Ginsburg's 'dying wishes' MORE wings of the Democratic Party.

Garcetti, 47, traveled to the Palmetto State last week for an advisory council meeting for the organization he chairs, Accelerator for America. But his trip to the “First in the South” primary state raised eyebrows as speculation swirls about potential presidential aspirations.

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“Let me tell you what they were talking about in South Carolina — the need for more teachers, better housing and transportation,” Garcetti said. “Americans are anxious about their jobs, retirement, health care and housing.”

“There are two Americas: Washington and the rest of us,” he continued, to loud applause. “Washington: where you don’t have to keep your word. America: where you work hard to pay the rent and feed the family.”

Garcetti’s speech was interrupted several times by a small group of protesters, but he overall got a warm reception among the thousands of delegates and officials who have gathered for the state party’s annual convention.

The Los Angeles mayor, who has been a vocal critic of President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE, also slammed the president and his administration’s budget proposal.

Garcetti argued that while Democrats stand by workers and teachers, the White House “walks with” former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former campaign advisers George PapadopoulosGeorge Demetrios PapadopoulosTale of two FBI cases: Clinton got warned, Trump got investigated Trump says he would consider pardons for those implicated in Mueller investigation New FBI document confirms the Trump campaign was investigated without justification MORE and Richard Gates, who have all pleaded guilty to charges from special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE in his investigation into Russian election interference in 2016.

“I know I’ve been wanting to say this for a long time. I think we should lock them up,” Garcetti said to huge applause, referencing the “lock her up” chants about Clinton from the 2016 election.

But after his convention, Garcetti downplayed rumors that he's thinking about a 2020 presidential run.