I had a feeling that this blatantly unconstitutional power play would wake Democrats out of their stupor and it appears that it did. I watched Ruben Gallego on Chris Hayes make it clear to night that something has changed. He says that he won’t vote for Russ Vought and it sounds like they are all ready to oppose him. Whether there are any Republicans willing to join in is unknown.
Whether Vought makes it or not, it does appear that the Democrats have relinquished their insane plan to ignore Trump and focus on “kitchen table issues.”
According to Axios, “One week after the 2025 inauguration, it feels more like the winter of 2017.” Hurrah:
- Democrats have flipped overnight from retreat to obstruction after Trump fired government watchdogs and froze (some) government spending.
They have no plans to stop unless or until Trump backs down.
- “This is about Trump wanting to seize control of everything,” Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) told reporters today.
A coherent Democratic counteroffensive is starting to emerge.
- Make noise: Jeffries’ messaging arm urged House Dems to hold press conferences and go live on social media. Schumer’s Dems audibled today’s press conference from Jan. 6 pardons to Trump’s spending freeze.
- Block bills: Senate Dems filibustered a GOP bill sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC). Democrats were resigned yesterday that they’d be jammed on the bill. Now they know they can increase their negotiating position if they stay unified.
- Protest votes: Nearly two dozen Senate Democrats voted against Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s confirmation, a day after the chamber voted unanimously to advance his nomination.
- Lawsuits: A federal judge blocked Trump’s spending freeze plans this afternoon. But all day, Democrats decried Trump’s move. The lawsuit will give them time to create a narrative about the real-world impact of the cuts. Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers will be hearing from their (potentially) angry constituents.
This is what’s required. Let’s hope they stick with it.
Trump has apparently offered 8 months severance pay to 2 million federal employees. Here’s Tim Kaine urging them not to do it:
This is how it’s done.