A significant number of Democrats advocate cooperating with Trump’s new administration, while others remain steadfast in their opposition.
For years, the Democratic Party painted Trump as a threat to the nation and American democracy, especially following the January 2021 Capitol riots. President Joe Biden warned in January that Trump was poised to “continue his assault on democracy.”
However, Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in both the Electoral College and the popular vote. The Republican Party also secured control of both chambers of Congress in the next term, delivering a stunning blow to Democrats, leaving many reeling and directionless.
As Trump’s inauguration approaches, Democrats face growing internal divisions. Some members favor collaboration with the new administration, while others insist on maintaining a firm distance. This divide has frustrated many of the party’s allies.
President Biden has made gestures of goodwill following Trump’s victory, calling to congratulate him and later inviting him to the Oval Office. The two shook hands and pledged a smooth transition, posing for photos alongside First Lady Jill Biden at the White House. Some praised Biden’s actions as a demonstration of civility and a commitment to democratic norms.
Others in the Democratic Party have signaled openness to cooperation, including engaging with the Government Operations Efficiency (DOGE) board led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania met with Trump’s controversial cabinet nominees, including Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, and Elise Stefanik, and pledged to evaluate them fairly.
Calls for Bipartisan Collaboration
Axios reported that a small group of senators, including at least two Democrats, are discussing a potential bipartisan border security agreement. “If we can work together on issues like border security or immigration reform, I think that would be great,” Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona told Axios.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, expressed her support for Trump’s mass deportation plans, saying, “If someone breaks the law, I’ll be the first to call ICE and say, ‘Get them out of here.’”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams also endorsed some of Trump’s proposed policies and did not rule out the possibility of switching parties to run as a Republican candidate in the future.
Staunch Opposition Remains
Nevertheless, many Democrats remain fiercely critical of Trump, particularly his and Elon Musk’s efforts to block a budget proposal to prevent a government shutdown.
“A billionaire running the country? Now we have two people we need to fight against. If decisions are made this way, it’s deeply concerning,” Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono remarked.
For many, the memory of the Capitol riots and Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election results remains vivid. “This is someone who was impeached and incited a riot to block the peaceful transfer of power,” said Corryn Freeman, executive director of the Future Alliance in Florida.
Over 50 Democratic lawmakers and civil rights leader John Lewis boycotted Trump’s first inauguration in 2017. Currently, more than a dozen have expressed their intent to boycott Trump’s second inauguration.
“I fully support Democrats skipping the inauguration, but that doesn’t change the reality that they will have to work with him and find ways to pass policies while he’s president,” Freeman said.
Leadership Vacuum and Strategic Drift
The Democratic Party seems to lack a clear leader to replace former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 84, who held a firm anti-Trump stance and once tore up a copy of Trump’s State of the Union address on live television.
Many allies believe the party lacks a coherent strategy. “I see comments from members of Congress and governors, but no one is outlining what the way forward is, unlike the clear anti-Trump direction in 2016,” said strategist Watts.
Some have called for empowering younger members in the House. However, Democrats recently selected 74-year-old Congressman Gerry Connolly to lead the oversight committee, sidelining 35-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s efforts.
Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of the progressive political group Our Revolution, criticized the decision as a “mistake” for ignoring bold voices within the party.
The Road Ahead
The search for a future direction comes as America’s elite and tech leaders appear to have “surrendered” to Trump. Many top business figures have visited Mar-a-Lago to forge favorable relationships with the incoming administration.
Despite this, long-time Trump opponents urge Democrats not to capitulate. Tara Setmayer, former communications director for the Republican Party, said Democrats must regroup because “you can’t build an effective opposition in chaos.”
“Democrats should tap into the discontent of Americans dissatisfied with Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. People clearly want leaders who fight for them,” Setmayer said.
(Sources: The Guardian, AFP, Reuters)
Hello Shuttle will strive to bring the latest updates. At the end of the day.
Are you looking for reliable airport and cruise port transfer services in Los Angeles?
We offer professional, safe, and punctual transportation from
Los Angeles Airport - LAX
Long Beach Airport - LGB
John Wayne Airport - SNA
San Pedro cruise port
Long Beach cruise port
Disneyland
and other destinations.
Let us make your journey stress-free and comfortable with our dedicated drivers and high-quality vehicles. Book now for the perfect travel experience at www.helloshuttle.com or call 944-800-5678!
