Democrats have found themselves in rough waters. To be in opposition, without any levers of control over the House, Senate, or Presidency, must make them feel powerless. The two years until they attempt to retake the House give Trump ample room to execute his agenda. He is living his moment of power, and as I noted on Inauguration Day, he is no longer grasping for it—he is the power.

For the Democrats, the obvious play is to step back and let Trump make his own mistakes, ensuring that no one can accuse them of complicity.

Those offering to “work together” for the benefit of the American people are wasting their breath. Trump neither needs nor trusts bipartisanship.

Trump does not share the limelight either—certainly not with anyone who might upstage him. Elon Musk, however, serves a unique function: he cannot run for president unless the “born in the U.S.” clause is repealed, an idea Democrats themselves have entertained in the past. Conveniently, Musk is now absorbing the heat typically reserved for Trump, particularly over DOGE, making him the Democrats’ preferred target.

When asked about JD Vance as his successor in 2028, Trump’s response was a strategic no. He refuses to open the succession question, endorse a future candidate, or allow anyone to be perceived as his heir—after all, he’s only weeks into his presidency.

Those offering to “work together” for the benefit of the American people are wasting their breath. Trump neither needs nor trusts bipartisanship.

Ksenija Pavlovic McAteer

So, what should Democrats do in the meantime? They have a rare and precious opportunity—a chance to take a long, hard look at themselves, to sift through their ranks, refine their message, and cast off the ideological baggage that even their own billionaire donors find excessive.

Hakeem Jeffries assures us that the economy is the issue, but, in their preoccupation with DEI, gender politics, and all manner of fashionable causes, Democrats have failed to make the economy their headline concern. Will they take this as a moment for reflection and renewal? 

Instead of charting a stable, middle-ground course, they elevate influencers like David Hogg—progressive to the core—when what they need is firm, pragmatic messaging. They think that Hogg is their way to young people, and to some young people he can reach but not to the broad enough young vote that can decide an election.

An opportunity for Democrats this time around is, rather than relying on an endless parade of celebrities and Clooneys who reemerge every four years to lecture Americans on whom to vote for, the party must identify a substantive pillar of its identity. Then, use movie stars sparingly and only around great initiatives to further amplify an opportunity at the American Dream.

Instead of charting a stable, middle-ground course, they elevate influencers like David Hogg—progressive to the core—when what they need is firm, pragmatic messaging.

Ksenija Pavlovic McAteer

On the thorny issue of immigration, the Democrats have been sloppy, blurring the distinction between legal and illegal immigration, as though the two were interchangeable.  Any legal immigrant to the US struggles to understand why unlawful entry should be rewarded? If labor shortages are the problem, then the solution is staring them in the face: create a legal pathway for foreign workers to fill the gaps. Simple, effective, and infinitely preferable to the status quo or mass deportations.

Democrats have once in a generation opportunity to refine their message and present a coherent plan for the future. They can provide an alternative to Republican agenda that in order to correct some things the society expects them to correct may end up overcorrecting.

On the economy, Democrats could innovate—proposing policies that promote youth employment and homeownership. Some merit initiatives that do not ask anyone to lower-the-bar so that those less qualified can enter the game. But as long as their primary strategy remains criticizing Trump, they will remain unheard. He now has full control of his agenda, and he knows that a moment like this may never come again.

For the Democrats, too, this is a fleeting chance to shape America 2.0—to be more than a brooding opposition. What leverage do they have? All, and none. It depends on whether they are serious about abandoning the old playbook and focusing on what actually matters to most Americans. That would require stepping away from utopian socialist pipedreams—yes, including the de facto communism of the “free lunch” brigade. Because, as we all know, the only free cheese is in the mousetrap.

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Ksenija Pavlovic is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Pavlovic Today, The Chief White House Correspondent. Pavlovic was a Teaching Fellow and Doctoral Fellow in the Political Science department at...

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