DENVER — Colorado Governor Jared Polis took an unconventional approach during a press conference prior to Christmas by putting on safety glasses and using an electric saw to shred a pile of unnecessary executive orders that date back several decades. This visual demonstration was aimed at showcasing his commitment to eliminating outdated regulations. Interestingly, it drew a positive response from Vivek Ramaswamy, an outspoken Republican and ally of former President Donald Trump, who tweeted, “Nice work. Send that shredder over to the Department of Government Efficiency next month!” Polis shared Ramaswamy’s comment and engaged in a light-hearted exchange about closing a federal cheese facility, highlighting his unique, independent approach as he navigates the complexities of the new political landscape.
As other Democratic governors adjust to Trump’s recent election win — like New York’s Kathy Hochul, who has sought common ground, and California’s Gavin Newsom, who has braced for legal confrontations — Polis appears to carve out his own path. Shortly after the election, he collaborated with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to launch a seemingly bipartisan initiative aimed at protecting democracy, reminiscent of the resistance faced during Trump’s first term. However, he quickly deviated, embracing a more conciliatory tone than Hochul and expressing approval for Trump’s nomination of vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the Health and Human Services position, stating his previous collaboration with Kennedy and a hope for challenging pharmaceutical companies.
Polis defended his willingness to engage with divergent views by articulating a philosophy that promotes the exchange of ideas from both sides of the political spectrum, suggesting that political issues are often more nuanced than the typical binary perspectives. Some members of the Democratic Party were skeptical about his supportive comments regarding Kennedy, causing concern for Polis’ future political aspirations, especially as he is considered a potential contender for the 2028 presidential election. Democratic strategist Bakari Sellers expressed that Democrats should be cautious of misinterpreting lessons learned from the recent political landscape, suggesting that embracing Trump’s policies could be detrimental in the long run.
Supporters of the governor characterize his political moves as representative of his unique style. Polis, an openly gay entrepreneur-turned-politician with libertarian tendencies, has consistently resisted mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic and has advocated for eliminating state income tax. Ted Trimpa, a seasoned Democratic strategist, remarked that Polis is not one to engage in ideological battles, contrasting him with more combative figures like Governor Newsom.
Despite their differences, fellow Democrats, including Steve Fenberg, acknowledged Polis’s inclination to find common ground with Trump, even amid significant disagreements. When questioned about the potential threats posed by Trump’s policies, Polis conveyed that he is unafraid to express disagreement, though he has refrained from direct criticism of Trump.
Immigration represents a likely point of contention between Polis and the incoming administration. Trump has spotlighted Colorado as a case study for what he perceives as the issues resulting from lax migration policies. Following a rally where Trump claimed that immigrant gangs threaten safety, he proposed a mass deportation initiative dubbed “Operation Aurora.”
Polis, who previously founded a charter school for immigrant children, has asserted that crime rates in Aurora and the broader Colorado area have decreased. He expressed interest in cooperating with the new administration to deport criminals but emphasized limitations regarding individuals who have not broken state laws. He articulated that local communities and employers in Colorado would not support broader deportation efforts.
Fenberg believes that the resistance strategies embraced during Trump’s initial term may not be as effective moving forward, suggesting that Polis’ pragmatic approach could serve as a model for how Democrats can adapt in the current political environment. “We need leaders like Jared to guide us in formulating a more effective opposition strategy,” Fenberg stated.
