What should Democrats in Congress be doing about Trump’s coup?

Robert Reich
05 February
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump gestures as he meets with House Republicans on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 13, 2024.

In less than three weeks, Trump has created a lawless, unconstitutional shite show. In effect, he’s staging a coup against American democracy.

The courts are weighing in, some people are organizing at the grassroots — but where the hell are the Democrats?

Today I want to discuss what Democratic lawmakers should be doing. I’ve spoken to a number of them and heard roughly four different views. The views are not mutually exclusive but reflect different overall strategies.

Today we consider each of them:

1. Allow Trump to overplay his hand. Some Democratic lawmakers believe they should do little or nothing — and thereby let Trump, Musk, and the MAGA Republican Party go wild. That way, say the Democrats I’ve spoken with, Trump and company are guaranteed to overplay their hand. By the same token, MAGA Republicans in Congress should get as much rope as they want because they’ll eventually hang themselves. “Don’t interfere!” they say. “Watch the fun!”

2. Negotiate to contain the damage. Other Democrats tell me they want to be at the table when Trump Republicans in Congress are making significant decisions, to help steer them in the least-damaging direction. So, for example, they’ll negotiate a budget agreement to prevent a shutdown in mid-March, try to lift the debt ceiling to prevent government from defaulting on paying its bills, and hold whatever hearings they’re able to.

3. Express loud public resistance. A third group of Democrats wants a more public show of activism in resistance to Trump. They’ve been talking to me about helping their constituents get more organized and activated, staging loud demonstrations that draw the attention of the media, and appealing Trump’s illegal moves to the federal courts, along with tons of publicity.

4. Gum up the works. A fourth group of Democratic lawmakers wants to block everything Trump and his Republicans lapdogs seek, including confirmations of Trump nominees, spending priorities, and funding authorizations. “Stop everything!” they say.

Again, these approaches are not mutually exclusive. Democrats could adapt any number of these — or others. But these four do reflect four different overall strategies.

So today’s Office Hours question: What should Democrats in Congress be doing about Trump’s coup?

Robert Reich is a professor of public policy at Berkeley and former secretary of labor. His writings can be found at https://robertreich.substack.com/.

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