In Washington, the Democratic Party has been publicly airing its internal disagreements following Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s decision to support a Republican spending bill that averted a government shutdown. Yet, the disagreements within their ranks are not a new phenomenon. For several months, Democrats have been in an ongoing struggle to unify around a coherent political strategy as they take on President Donald Trump and Republican majorities in Congress. Inside party meetings, think tank discussions, and strategy sessions, Democrats are engaging in intense debates over ideology, policy, and messaging to address the missteps of last year’s elections.
“We’re at a point of having these internal discussions to figure out our future path,” remarked Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Democrat from Florida and the youngest member of Congress at age 28.
The Democratic Party’s political challenges were brought into sharp focus during last week’s annual retreat a short distance from Washington. Rep. Frost and others were troubled by exit poll data from the November presidential election, showing Trump garnered support from voters without a college degree and those earning less than $100,000 annually. Additionally, Trump made significant gains with communities of color and young voters, traditionally Democratic strongholds.
Recent polling data highlights the Democrats’ hurdles. There is significant dissatisfaction among Americans, including the party’s base, with a March CNN poll indicating that only about 30% of U.S. adults view the Democratic Party favorably, while 54% have an unfavorable opinion. Notably, about 60% of Democrats would rather see the party obstruct the Republican agenda, a shift from early 2017 when around 75% preferred bipartisan cooperation. “The Democratic brand definitely needs a change,” stated Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, emphasizing the need for public acknowledgment of the situation. “We need a strong message from leadership acknowledging the lessons from the last election and showing intent to change,” he added.
While Democrats share a deep opposition to Trump and believe they haven’t effectively connected with working-class voters, their leadership remains split on how to counter Trump in his term and which policies to prioritize when engaging with the electorate.
The ongoing debate between the party’s progressive and moderate segments remains unresolved. Each side feels somewhat validated by the unfolding early stages of the Trump administration. “Our access to power levers and government control is blocked. Winning the majority in 2026 is a critical milestone we must reach,” stated Rep. Brad Schneider, representing a bloc of Democrats advocating for pragmatic policies. Schneider stressed that the party should focus on winning back the majority rather than daily political skirmishes.
In contrast, more progressive members advocate for a transformation of the Democratic Party into one that truly represents working people. Rep. Greg Casar from Texas urged for unity and a focus on defending citizens from government and workplace injustices, rather than framing the debate as purely left versus right.
Looking ahead to next year’s midterm elections, Democrats are already gearing up to reclaim their position, with only a small Republican majority standing in their way. The fast-paced and erratic nature of Trump’s governance has both alarmed and mobilized voters, offering Democrats a chance to push back.
To capitalize on this, the Democratic National Committee has initiated a “People’s Town Hall” series to engage swing state and district voters. The effort follows recent national town halls led by key liberal figures. Meanwhile, the Congressional Black Caucus plans to embark on a bus tour targeting Black communities to re-engage disillusioned voters and spotlight Trump’s contentious decisions.
Congress members are backing legal groups like Democracy Forward in their judicial opposition to Trump’s policies, while organizations such as Indivisible prepare national protests. Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington, focused on “kitchen table issues” like lowering costs and public safety, noted that these topics are central to their electoral strategy. “This strategy helped us outperform expectations nationwide,” she emphasized.
While Democrats refine their message, party members like Rep. Ayanna Pressley underscore the necessity of confronting Trump’s “unprecedented power grab” and “lawless actions” now, before the midterms approach. “Our most compelling argument won’t simply be what we stopped, but what we aim to advance,” Pressley argues, asserting that this is not the time to limit the party’s aspirations.
