Tom Minear: Weak, juvenile Democrats overwhelmed by Donald Trump

In the first three weeks of Donald Trump’s second term, Democrats seem lost on how to oppose him. Tom Minear assesses their tactics and argues for a simple alternative.

For an Australian observer, one of the fascinating curiosities of the American political system is the absence of an official opposition leader.

With Donald Trump back in the White House and Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, the role is ostensibly filled by the Democratic leaders in the Senate and the House, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. And after three weeks of the President’s second term, it’s clear they have no idea how to productively oppose him.

This became obvious when Mr Schumer stood in front of a crowd protesting Elon Musk’s cost-cutting drive last week and chanted: “We will win, we will win!” In the face of the Trump administration’s assault on Washington DC, it was lame and a little embarrassing.

Elon Musk. Picture: Alain Jocard/AFP

Some Democrats have at least realised repeating the all-out resistance from Mr Trump’s first term is the wrong move. And to be fair, finding a different strategy is hard and will take time.

Their problem is two-fold. The speed with which Mr Trump is moving is by design, so he can overwhelm opposition to the more vulnerable elements of his often controversial agenda.

This is compounded by the fact that Democrats want to defend America’s institutions – from the foreign aid agency to the FBI – at a time when voters are disillusioned or even downright furious at them. That was a key reason why Mr Trump was re-elected, as Barack Obama’s strategist David Axelrod pointed out last week, because the Democrats looked like “an elite party”.

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, pictured with Maxine Waters, speaks during the We Choose To Fight: Nobody Elected Elon rally at the US Department Of The Treasury on February 4, in Washington, DC. Picture: Jemal Countess/Getty Images for MoveOn

Members of Congress are testing various tactics. Some are posting strongly worded letters on social media, which looks weak. Hawaii senator Brain Schatz is unilaterally blocking the confirmation of Mr Trump’s foreign policy team, which looks anti-democratic. And Texas congressman Al Green is already trying to impeach the President, which looks juvenile.

With Mr Trump at the peak of his political powers, there are no easy options for the Democrats in the weeks ahead, other than to simply say that bad things are bad.

Illegally cutting off spending on vital services, as Mr Trump did before he was blocked by the courts, is evidently one of those. And while Mr Musk’s initiative is necessary, there are serious questions to be asked about the scope of powers handed to the world’s richest man.

Beyond that, Democrats would be well served picking their battles, while reminding voters that this is the President they chose. They can judge the consequences for themselves.