“No one has done more for you than you have done for yourself,” Rep. Maxine Waters told the crowd Wednesday at the opening reception of the Victory Institute’s International LGBTQ Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.

The California Democrat was a keynote speaker at the annual gathering of LGBTQ elected officials, leaders and advocates from across the world. A long-time ally of the community, Waters addressed the challenges facing the country's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and spoke candidly — as she often does — about President Donald Trump.

“Under this president, we're all at risk and under assault,” she told the crowd. "I will be with you in the fights ahead. I'm in it."

The Morning Rundown Get a head start on the morning's top stories. This site is protected by recaptcha

NBC’s @MaryEmilyOHara talked to THE @RepMaxineWaters about LGBTQ rights and why she wants to impeach Trump #LGBTQLeaders17 pic.twitter.com/1uTvSFLm9k — NBC Out (@NBCOUT) December 7, 2017

In an interview with NBC News following her speech, Waters reiterated her support for the LGBTQ community.

"I have a long relationship in fighting for equality and justice for the LGBTQ community," she said. "I'm part of the LGBTQ community, and I'm someone that can be counted on."

Waters also doubled down on her criticism of President Trump.

"I'm very disappointed in him, because at one time he was supposed to have been liberal or progressive, and now he's in between ultra-right and something else," she said. "He's been trying to prove to a certain segment of that ultra-right community that he's ultra-right, and he's opposed to all the progressive initiatives that are going on in this country."

“I will be with you in the fights ahead” @RepMaxineWaters tells a crowd of LGBTQ elected officials and hopefuls #LGBTQLeaders17 pic.twitter.com/UOBzYAILZK — Mary Emily O’Hara (@MaryEmilyOHara) December 7, 2017

One progressive initiative Waters cited specifically was Trump's actions regarding the failed ban on transgender service members.

"He cannot be trusted," Waters added. "He must be impeached.”

Also speaking at Wednesday's event was Rep. Jared Polis, Democrat of Colorado. Polis is one of only seven openly LGBTQ members of Congress and is now a Colorado gubernatorial candidate. When asked about the impact he thinks the Trump administration has had so far on LGBTQ Americans, he said, "Hopefully it's inspired many more to run for office."

Congressman @jaredpolis talked to NBC's @brookesopelsa about LGBTQ representation in politics & Trump's impact on the community at International LGBTQ Leaders Conference in DC #LGBTQLeaders17 pic.twitter.com/WQe8a8tsFn — NBC Out (@NBCOUT) December 7, 2017

FOLLOW NBC OUT ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM