Democrats Capitulate to Trump

Only 29% of Americans have a positive opinion of the party of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. This is the worst result in over three decades.

The moment is unique. This is not a simple transfer of power, but an existential revolution. Over the past two months, Donald Trump has been dismantling the rule of law at a dizzying pace. He has recently sent some 200 suspected drug gang members to El Salvador, defying the court ruling. The country is governed by President Nayib Bukele, who rules with an iron fist. At the same time, the White House cuts off funding for other state agendas, although it is up to Congress to decide on budget issues. Examples of his decisions which are questionable from the point of view of law are many.

Chuck Schumer saved the country from fiscal paralysis. For many Democrats, however, he is a traitor. But Democrats are not mobilizing. According to CNN, only 63% of Democratic voters believe the party is heading in the right direction. That’s nine percentage points less than in January. It is widely believed that no one is running the party, which alone can stop Trump’s madness.

Late last week, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer persuaded nine other Democratic senators* to approve a federal spending bill and avoid a shutdown. He claimed that a confrontation with Trump would only earn Trump votes. But many Democrats see Schumer as a traitor who squandered one of the few opportunities to challenge the White House’s actions.

The logic of the New York senator is similar to that of the current party leaders. Barack Obama has largely limited his public activity to sharing posts about Michelle on social media. Joe Biden has gone silent. Bill Clinton has been silent for a long time. Former California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has been the Democrats’ great hope for renewal, is now avoiding attacking Trump. He needs federal funding to rebuild Los Angeles after the recent massive fires. Kamala Harris, on the other hand, is thinking of taking his place in next year’s election.

Eighty three-year-old Bernie Sanders is touring the country, drawing crowds wherever he goes.

However, more and more party activists believe that the current balanced political line does not give Democrats a chance to regain power in a highly polarized society. A year from November, America will have midterm elections in Congress. This will be an opportunity for Democrats to regain the majority in the House of Representatives. The extremely popular Sanders has decided to take matters into his own hands. He has begun to tour America under the slogan “Fighting Oligarchy.” Still, it’s hard to see the 83-year-old Vermont senator as the Democrats’ hope for renewal.

Many believe that the time has come to create a democratic movement from the ground up. Nationwide protests have been called for April 5. They are supposed to paralyze America. Or at least show opposition to Trump. Publicist and social activist Ezra Levin stands out in this initiative. He is the initiator of the now-remote Indivisible movement. He started a debate over whether Democrats should build a similar network of social media influencers such as Republicans did years ago. It’s also unclear whether the Democratic Party should promote someone as radical and charismatic as Trump but with progressive ideas.

The party’s main problem, however, is that its traditional supporters, including workers, minorities and women, have seen Trump’s economic recovery plan as more credible. Winning back this electorate will be difficult. Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota and the Democratic nominee for vice president in the 2024 election, believes Biden made a mistake by ignoring the effects of inflation on average American families. At that time, the president focused on long-term measures, such as the reconstruction of infrastructure or the development of social policy, which, however, bear fruit only gradually.

Nonetheless, there is growing evidence that Trump’s chaotic policies, particularly when it comes to imposing tariffs on successive U.S. trading partners, are driving America toward economic disaster. More and more economists predict a recession and an acceleration in price growth. This could attract the voters the Democrats have lost.

*Editor’s Note: Eight Democratic senators voted with the Republicans, along with Independent Sen. Angus King, who caucuses with the Democrats.