Democrats demand more positive strategies for Trump and Musk: “We will be opposition” | American Politics

When organizers announced the “No Elon” protests announced at Washington State Treasury Headquarters – Response to the revelation of Elon Musk's Doge's visit to sensitive taxpayer data – No single Democratic legislator agreed to participate. .

But as Donald Trump attacked the federal government, public anger intensified and speech lists grew. Finally, more than 20 Democratic lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, called hundreds outside after a cold protester Tuesday. In their post-speaking speech, they promised to do everything they could to prevent Trump from implementing the right-wing agenda.

Florida's representative Maxwell Frost thunder entered the microphone. “But we won't be the minority. We will be the opposition.”

In the weeks since Trump took office, Democrats in Washington have been under increasing pressure to make the president more and more difficult, and Musk is by his side, violating Congress and possible constitutions. Their phone lines were overwhelmed by angry callers, begging the opposition to “do something.” Progressive activists held protests outside the congressional office on Wednesday, demanding that Washington Democrats “see it as a constitutional crisis.”

“When the coup goes on, no one hears your boring message about the price of tomatoes,” Ezra Levin, co-founder of the radical group, helped organize the Treasury action indecently. “You have to fight.”

In both Congress, Democrats have been demoted to minority and have limited power to stop Trump. But Levine said they might do everything they can, especially in the Senate.

He urged Democrats to guide Mitch McConnell, a former Republican leader who built his reputation as a ruthless tactician by most of his agenda for Barack Obama.

“Mitch McConnell’s leader is much smaller than the minority that Chuck Schumer leads today. You know what, he never said, “I’m the minority.” I can do nothing. What do you want me to do? ''” He noted that challenge the Democrats to “pretend you are Mitch McConnell… and use the power he will use. ”

Senate Democrats protested all night on Wednesday against Russell Vorge, with Trump’s nominee leading the White House Budget Office and the architects of the 2025 project, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term. The office is a keen Trump administration order that freezes all federal loans and grants, which raises legal challenges and presents a United Democrat on the opposition. Vought was finally confirmed through partisanship, but the activists were pleased to see Democrats get caught in action.

“What we see from the members is the very strong desire of the Democrats to show certain determination and achieve this moment,” said Moveon spokesman Britt Jacovich. “They want Senate leadership and House leadership to use every tool to fight back.”

Some Democratic Senators – Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware said they will take the president's “unacceptable and dangerous” action for all nominees against Trump. Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz said he would provide “blanket holding” to all Trump's State Department nominees until the administration resumes funding to USDA and Musk moves .

“We should not be accused of approving Trump's nominee or Trump's legislation,” Murphy told the Guardian. He said doing so would send a wrong message to Americans, and Democrats demanded opposition to Trump The U.S. government “slides in dangerous corruption.”

In the House, minority leader Hakeem Jeffries vowed to use Democratic leverage in a narrow chamber to protect Trump's federal plan to try to refund. On Thursday, he introduced legislation that would protect taxpayers’ personal data from the Governor’s team and denounce Musk as “an unelected, irresponsible, out-of-control billionaire puppet master.”

Democrats also try to grab the spotlight. Last week, a group of House and Senate Democrats emerged among government agencies targeted by the Governor. They protested outside the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) headquarters on Monday after refusing to enter the agency’s building in solidarity with fired and furloughed workers. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education have also launched a similar deadlock.

With Musk's help, Trump acted at an astonishing speed. The president’s lightning meter for executive action is part of a deliberate effort to “sink the area” – a strategy that is designed to overwhelm the opposition and the media, said Stephen Bannon, a strategist in the Trump administration.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told his followers on Instagram Live last week: “It's important for you to understand the paralysis and shock you feel right now is Focus. ” “They are trying to cause negative states in the public.”

But she said Democrats could also flood the area and encourage supporters to continue to appeal to members of Congress, including among vulnerable groups, who may be persuaded to object if they are concerned about strong political opposition in the area The president's agenda.

While Democrats in Washington can adapt to a new political reality, many on the left want to put their hopes among local and state leaders.

“Everything from immigration to climate change to abortion visits and education, they will be able to do a lot, whether it’s mitigating the harm or actually advancing progressive policies that we just won’t go into DC,” Amanda Litman said. , Executive Director of Run for Tose, a progressive group that helps young people run for local offices.

One of their recruits, Alyshia Dyer, was elected sheriff of Washtenaw County, Michigan in November. Last month, Dell said her office would not assist federal immigration authorities.

There are also early signs that the next four years may produce new Democratic leaders like Trump’s first term. Litman said more than 17,000 people have expressed interest in running for office since Election Day.

The shocking power of Trump and Musk regained anti-Trump resistance. The Democratic attorney general, liberal groups and nonprofits have filed dozens of lawsuits against the Trump administration and the road, and ruled a series of favorable rulings. Meanwhile, thousands of demonstrations this week stretched from Los Angeles City Hall to the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

Protesters have raised signs from Trump’s crackdown on immigrants to his attacks on trans people and his proposal to own U.S. Gaza. What motivates many actions is the concern that American democracy is dangerous.

“These are not normal times,” said Isabel Storey, an indivisible West Side member of Los Angeles, who helped organize protests outside the office of California Senator Alex Padilla this week. “The information we give them is that they need to close their business as usual.”

Since Trump took office, Storry said she was “overwhelmed” by people who were asked how to participate and make a difference. A few years ago, when Trump’s first administration knocked on the door, she even had someone who attended a letter event at her home, asking, “What are you doing now?”

This is the same question that progressive activists have asked among the leaders of the Washington Party. Storey said she was a staunch supporter of two Democratic senators in California, but on Wednesday she and her daughter stood outside Padilla's office, asking him and his colleagues to “do whatever they can to block the situation.” A coup that is taking place.”

Once, if she didn't succeed, she almost became emotional. “I almost started crying because I looked at my daughter and thought, I don't want her to grow up under a dictatorship.”