Like everyone else in Washington, Democratic Party leaders have been stunned by the speed and the breadth of President Donald Trump’s efforts to revamp the federal government.
Still licking their wounds from a decisive electoral defeat and post-election polling showing their party’s basic brand may be even weaker than the actual results, they have been slow to counter Trump’s aggressive outreach.
In recent days, however, anti-Trump demonstrations reminiscent of those from eight years ago have started to spread, and Democratic leaders are mapping plans to confront GOP lawmakers during this week’s House recess.
Still, given their lack of congressional clout, the real battle against the excesses of Trump 2.0 will continue in the courts, where they are seeing at least some short-term success. So far, some 70 suits by Democratic attorneys general, employee unions and ousted workers have produced 14 rulings halting administration efforts or questioning their legality.
Meanwhile, congressional Democrats are primarily focused on forthcoming battles over government spending, while they watch Senate Republicans fall dutifully in line to confirm Trump’s Cabinet choices and House GOP budget drafters wrangle over when and how much to cut.