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During the inauguration ceremony at Capitol Hill, as President Donald Trump criticized the previous administration, Joe Biden and other Democratic leaders could only sit silently, their frustration palpable.
Four years ago, Democrats celebrated Trump’s electoral defeat, viewing their victory as a monumental triumph for democracy and a new progressive vision for America.
However, the tides have shifted. Trump’s resounding electoral victory has returned him to power, leaving Democrats without control of the White House or Senate. They now lack clear leadership and a viable path to rebuild their party. The Republican Party holds control of all three branches of government.
Trump has vowed to overturn Democratic achievements from recent years, pursuing policies contrary to their core beliefs.
Unlike Trump’s first term, Democrats no longer enjoy strong societal opposition to the new President. While protests during Trump’s 2017 inauguration drew thousands, only a few hundred gathered in Washington on January 20.
This year’s inauguration was held under the Capitol Rotunda, a relatively confined space. Guests sat close together, right next to Trump’s podium, creating a bitter atmosphere for Democrats as Biden and senior members listened to Trump lambaste his predecessor's administration as “a disaster.”
Trump declared that America under Biden had been “on the brink of decline,” unable to “address even simple domestic crises.” Biden sat beside him, looking pensive, his lips pressed tightly together.
“That was an incredibly dark tone,” remarked Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin about Trump’s inaugural speech.
There were few visible emotional responses from Democrats during the ceremony. However, Jill Biden sighed audibly as she prepared to leave Capitol Hill. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton chuckled when Trump pledged to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “American Gulf.”
Biden made the sign of the cross when Senator Amy Klobuchar referenced the peaceful transfer of power.
Others chose not to react at all. While Republicans gave standing ovations to Trump’s policy announcements, Democrats remained seated with folded arms.
Democratic lawmakers who boycotted the event were more outspoken. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted that she would not celebrate an individual “accused of sexual abuse,” a clear jab at Trump.
In 2023, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of sexual abuse and defamation against journalist E. Jean Carroll. Trump has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct from Carroll and dozens of other women.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar criticized Democrats who attended the ceremony, questioning how they could reconcile years of calling Trump “a threat to democracy” with their presence.
Some Democrats argued that the inauguration imagery, featuring billionaires and business executives seated prominently, symbolized Trump’s preference for the wealthy elite.
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal expressed shock, noting, “Billionaires sat front and center before Supreme Court justices and cabinet members, while governors, including Republicans, were relegated to a separate room. This government appears up for sale.”
Celinda Lake, a prominent Democratic pollster, advised Democrats to respond to Trump’s policy agenda with silence. “Let his agenda backfire. To catch a big fish, you must let it run,” she said.
Senator Tim Kaine echoed this sentiment, urging Democrats to choose their battles carefully. “There will be plenty of fights. Don’t chase every provocation, like his comments about Greenland,” Kaine said, referencing Trump’s past threat to force Denmark to sell the island.
Kaine emphasized focusing on practical goals, such as the Virginia gubernatorial race, as a means to rebuild the party’s message.
Despite their struggles, some Democrats remain hopeful that public dissatisfaction with Trump’s policies will grow. Senator Edward J. Markey predicted widespread opposition by spring, as the details of Trump’s initiatives become clearer.
“It’s just a matter of time for people to fully grasp their implications,” he said, adding that state and federal legislatures could counteract Trump’s rollback of Biden-era policies.
For now, Democrats face two years of minority status in both chambers of Congress, struggling to present a coherent message under Trump’s leadership. At the Senate, Trump’s controversial cabinet nominees have passed confirmation without significant Democratic resistance.
A minority of Democratic lawmakers have joined Republicans in advancing Trump’s campaign promise, the Laken Riley Act, which expedites deportation for undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
Democrats acknowledge their challenges, admitting their messaging has failed to resonate with many voters. They aim to recalibrate their strategy to win back those who turned to Trump out of frustration.
This has prompted some Democrats to collaborate with the Trump administration, despite strong opposition within the party.
Nevertheless, a vocal Democratic faction remains determined to fight Trump’s agenda. Senator Cory Booker declared his priority was “to prevent harm and promote good, no matter the alliances necessary to achieve that.”
Nationwide, Democrats have an emerging roster of future leaders, including swing-state governors like Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and influential figures like Pete Buttigieg and Ocasio-Cortez.
However, the party has yet to identify its next presidential candidate for 2028.
“Our next leaders must engage voters where they are, address issues clearly, and deliver results,” advised Lis Smith, a Democratic strategist. “Now is the time for a complete overhaul of the party.”
