Progressive Democrats grappling with the prospect of a second term for Donald Trump are adopting a new strategy: embracing his populist, working-class proposals and holding him accountable for them.
If Trump follows through on his promises, progressives can claim credit for pushing him in that direction. If he fails to deliver, they can criticize him for it.
This shift in approach is a result of private discussions among liberal officials and operatives who have realized that resisting Trump for years did not prevent his return to the White House.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, indicated that she would be willing to work with Trump on antitrust issues if he pursues the promises he made during his campaign. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) expressed openness to partnering with Trump to address corporate consolidations, while Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) stated his anticipation of Trump fulfilling his pledge to cap credit card interest rates.
Even Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), known for her resistance to Trump, is finding common ground with the president-elect on certain issues.
“President Trump promised to limit consumer credit interest rates to 10 percent during his campaign,” Warren told POLITICO. “I am ready for that challenge.”
However, Warren emphasized that Trump must be held accountable if he fails to deliver on promises that would benefit working people.
An aide to a progressive member of Congress, speaking anonymously, acknowledged that while liberal Democrats will continue to oppose much of Trump’s agenda, they are willing to support proposals that benefit the working class, such as capping credit card interest rates.
Progressives are not endorsing Trump’s policies wholesale, and their engagement with him remains a work in progress. They remain critical of his actions and policies, including his deportation plans, tax cuts for the wealthy, and rollback of transgender rights.
Despite their reservations, some of Trump’s populist promises align with progressive goals, such as providing free in vitro fertilization treatments, ending taxes on tips, and capping credit card interest rates. He has also pledged to protect Social Security and Medicare, and advocated for Medicare to negotiate drug prices.
Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, stated that the president’s policies will benefit all Americans and claimed that Democrats recognize the support for Trump’s America First agenda.
Some of Trump’s allies have also expressed support for ideas that align with progressive values, such as reducing Pentagon spending and enforcing antitrust laws.
Recent interactions between progressive Rep. Ro Khanna and entrepreneur Elon Musk highlighted their agreement on the need to reduce defense contractor expenditures.
While progressives acknowledge the challenges of advancing their agenda with a Republican-controlled Congress, they believe that Trump’s voters expect him to fulfill his promises. They are eager to influence policy and hold Trump accountable for his commitments.
Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Institute, emphasized the importance of challenging Trump to deliver on his promises, particularly those related to Social Security, tax reforms, and anti-monopoly measures.
Not all progressives support this strategy, with some expressing skepticism about Trump’s willingness to adhere to his pledges. However, they recognize the value of trying to work with the administration on issues that benefit the working class.
Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) emphasized the importance of collaborating on policies that support working-class individuals, such as addressing credit card fees and prescription drug pricing.
While resistance to Trump’s harmful policies will continue, progressives are open to cooperation on initiatives that align with their values. The evolving approach reflects a recognition that the political landscape has changed since Trump’s first term.
“We will resist where necessary,” Warren affirmed. “But we will also engage with Trump on issues that benefit the American people, such as lowering consumer loan interest rates.”
