Jan 28, 2025 - Politics & Policy
Democrats bite back against Trump's purges and freezes
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President Trump's freezing of federal aid and grants and his mass firing of inspector generals has quickly shocked congressional Democrats into a coordinated resistance movement.
Why it matters: One week after the 2025 inauguration, it feels more like the winter of 2017.
- 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 Tuesday.
Zoom in: A coherent Democratic counteroffensive is starting to emerge.
- Make noise: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' (D-N.Y.) messaging arm urged House Dems to hold press conferences and go live on social media. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-N.Y.) Democrats audibled Tuesday'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 on Monday 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 on Tuesday. 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.
The bottom line: The all-day rage session was convenient for Schumer, who'd rather talk about Trump than a soon-to-be-open Michigan Senate seat. Gary Peters surprised the Hill today by announcing he won't run for reelection.
