The Republican National Committee (RNC) on Monday quickly criticized Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline Democratic senators ask inspector general to investigate IRS use of location tracking service MORE (D-Mass.) as a "far-left obstructionist" in the wake of the announcement that she intends to explore a presidential bid in 2020.

RNC Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel called Warren "out of touch" and seized on the senator's claim to Native American ancestry, deeming it a "phony claim to minority status."

"Now that she is formally running Americans will see her for what she is: another extreme far-left obstructionist and a total fraud," McDaniel said in a statement. "Voters know President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE’s agenda gets results and they will make their voices heard at the ballot box in 2020."

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Warren announced Monday morning that she is forming an exploratory committee to run for the White House, becoming the most prominent Democrat thus far to wade into the 2020 presidential race.

The senator made the announcement in a video sent to supporters and posted on YouTube that highlighted her family history, lamented the struggles of the middle class and laid out her desire to address economic issues.

Warren, 69, was first elected to the Senate in 2012. She burnished her reputation in the aftermath of the financial crisis and led efforts to rein in big banks and address economic inequality.

She sought to get out in front of potential criticism of her claims of Native American ancestry by releasing the results of a DNA test in October that showed "strong evidence" she had Native American ancestors.

The move led to criticism from Native American groups and Trump, who refers to Warren by the racially charged name "Pocahontas."

Warren is likely to be one of many Democratic contenders for the party's presidential nomination in 2020. Other potential candidates include former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Fox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio MORE, Rep. Beto O'Rourke Beto O'RourkeJimmy Carter says his son smoked pot with Willie Nelson on White House roof O'Rourke endorses Kennedy for Senate: 'A champion for the values we're most proud of' 2020 Democrats do convention Zoom call MORE (D-Texas), and Sens. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power Bernie Sanders: 'This is an election between Donald Trump and democracy' The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump stokes fears over November election outcome MORE (I-Vt.), Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHundreds of lawyers from nation's oldest African American sorority join effort to fight voter suppression Biden picks up endorsement from progressive climate group 350 Action 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing MORE (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker Cory Anthony Booker3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D-N.J.).

Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro announced earlier this month that he had set up an exploratory committee for a White House bid.

A CNN poll of Iowa voters released earlier this month showed Biden leading the field of prospective candidates, followed by Sanders, O'Rourke and then Warren.