When Donald Trump won in 2016, people took to the streets. Women flooded Washington, D.C., fearful that the administration would appoint judges that would kill Roe v. Wade and reproductive freedom. This time around, things seem different.
Politico wrote Friday that Democrats are changing their approach to some issues, like immigration, which has been Trump's top issue for nearly a decade. They claim that Democratic leaders believe the "resistance" strategies of combatting Trump don't make sense in the political climate of 2025.
Democratic governors are preparing to oppose Trump's mass deportation plan. The plan might first be implemented through executive order and will likely end up in the courts until Congress can back him up. However, governors are willing to work with Trump on the idea of deporting those who committed serious felonies, while others say Democrats should take a harder line on the matter.
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Crossing the border is illegal, but "improper entry" is a misdemeanor. So, Republicans can reasonably claim that all undocumented migrants are "criminals." It's akin to disorderly conduct, public intoxication or even a speeding ticket.
Rep. Tom Souzzi (D-N.Y.) said, "Everybody should support deporting criminals." However, he foresees problems with Trump's plan.
"You're going to have some ICE agents knocking down the door of somebody's house where a criminal used to live, and now that person has moved, and there's another family there. There are going to be stories about people getting deported for low-level offenses, and the dad being taken away from the children, or the mom," said Souzzi.
Democratic leaders must decide what constitutes a "red line" and how to confront Trump when he crosses it. Democratic pollster Celinda Lake said this has been a significant shift for Democrats since 2017.
"Democrats have to be very good right now about not taking the bait and not letting him set the agenda," she said. "The shock and awe of 2017 was 'we're going to resist, we're going to resist,'" she recalled. "I think this year, it's more, 'We're going to be calm. We're going to be looking for places to work together. We're going to pick our moments and we're going to try to shape not just opposition, but try to shape alternatives.'"
Trump's so-called "border czar" will be Tom Homan, and he's already threatened to prosecute and jail Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson if he attempts to impede deportations.
Among the ideas is to have local law enforcement come off of their public safety jobs and start working for the federal government to round up immigrants and their families, including citizens.
Democratic Party leaders are hoping to continue pushing for "common-sense solutions" on the border, akin to the legislation that was nearly passed before Trump voiced his opposition to it.
Polls show that Americans want to save and support the spouses of American citizens and young people brought to the U.S. as children, referred to as the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program. Politico said that those policies might be where Democrats sharpen their message.
