The Democratic Party is plotting a strategy in the battle against Trump: 'Not a lot of good options'

Democrats have watched in frustration as President Donald Trump has moved aggressively to weaken federal agencies and expand the power of his office with little apparent concern for the consequences. However, they see an opportunity to push back with the upcoming March 14 deadline to avert a government shutdown. 

The debate among top House and Senate Democrats is growing intense over what demands to make in their first major negotiation with Trump and how strongly they should resist. Many fear that drawing a hard line could backfire, leaving them with no choice but to concede and appearing even weaker in the face of Trump’s moves.

With the Senate requiring 60 votes to pass a spending bill and House Republicans struggling to secure votes among their own ranks, Democrats have leverage. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer are strategizing on how to use this opportunity effectively.

Some worry that even if they secure policy wins, Trump may simply ignore the law, as they believe he has done in his efforts to weaken federal agencies. This raises the concern that a prolonged battle and a possible government shutdown might ultimately prove futile.

Senator Chris Coons of Delaware underscored the difficulty in trusting the administration to honor any agreement. He questioned whether Congress could maintain its power over federal spending if Trump disregarded appropriations deals.

Another senior Democratic aide echoed this sentiment, admitting that the party lacks good options in this fight. Despite concerns, some Democrats, including those from battleground districts, argue that a shutdown should not be ruled out if Republicans fail to secure enough votes on their own. However, Schumer and other senior senators are more cautious, wary of the potential political damage from a shutdown battle.

Even as Democrats ramp up their criticisms of Elon Musk’s growing influence in Trump’s government, it is unclear whether they will target the tech billionaire in their negotiations over funding. Jeffries signaled that, for now, blocking Musk’s access to government payment systems is not a priority in the spending battle.

Instead, he emphasized the importance of ongoing bipartisan negotiations to reach a spending deal that serves the American people. However, some Democrats insist that any Democratic support for a deal should come at a steep price. Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts declared that Democrats will not continue rescuing the administration without meaningful concessions.

Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut emphasized that Democrats must use every bit of leverage available, warning that democracy itself is at stake. However, he also acknowledged the risks of pushing too hard and ending up with a shutdown. Senator Mark Warner, who represents many federal workers in Virginia, stressed the need to fight to preserve the rule of law and prevent further dismantling of government institutions. He expressed concern that by the time the funding deadline arrives, much of the government’s structure may already be compromised.

Trump’s aggressive budget cuts, particularly those affecting the U.S. Agency for International Development, have placed Democrats in a difficult position. While they broadly support the agency’s mission and oppose Musk’s attempts to undermine it, they are unsure whether making foreign aid a central issue in the shutdown debate would resonate with the public.

Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut admitted that while the USAID cuts are deeply concerning, they may not generate strong emotional responses from the American public, especially outside Washington.

Avoiding a shutdown remains a complex challenge. Less than two months before the deadline, House and Senate appropriators have yet to reach an agreement on spending levels for a fiscal year that is already halfway through. House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Democrats of deliberately setting up a government shutdown by withdrawing from negotiations. 

Democrats reject this claim, arguing that internal divisions among House and Senate Republicans are the real obstacle to progress. Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, stressed the need for any spending agreement to be legally enforceable, preventing Trump and Musk from discarding it at will.

Further complicating negotiations are additional contentious issues, including aid for California wildfires and discussions on raising the national debt limit. These factors make the outcome of the funding battle uncertain.

Representative Pete Aguilar of California, a high-ranking House Democrat, asserted that Republicans need Democratic support and must be willing to negotiate in good faith. On the progressive side, some Democrats are pressing for a more aggressive approach. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez insisted that Democrats should demand a high price for their votes and refused to accept blame for a potential shutdown.

Jeffries and his team are carefully monitoring vulnerable members in Trump-won districts, recognizing the risks of a prolonged funding fight. In a meeting with key battleground members, Jeffries discussed how best to leverage their position while avoiding political fallout.

Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan warned that voters dislike government shutdowns and may not follow the debate closely enough to assign blame accurately. Democrats are also analyzing lessons from their 2024 losses to determine how hard they should push back against Trump.

Some Democrats are taking a more confrontational approach. Representative Al Green of Texas introduced articles of impeachment against Trump, while two other House Democrats filmed themselves forcing entry into Speaker Johnson’s office to protest Musk’s involvement in government finances.

Additionally, Representative Jared Huffman criticized the National Prayer Breakfast, linking it to the broader MAGA agenda. Amid these efforts, Jeffries has advised Democrats to be selective in their battles, likening the strategy to that of baseball star Aaron Judge, who carefully chooses his swings.

However, in the fast-paced political environment shaped by Trump, not all Democrats agree on this restrained approach. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut argued that raising alarms every day is necessary to counteract Trump’s influence.

He rejected the idea of waiting for an even more dire moment to push back, emphasizing that the situation is already critical. As the funding deadline approaches, Democrats remain divided on their strategy, unsure whether to pursue a high-risk showdown or seek a more pragmatic path to avoid a government shutdown.