Democrat Shasti Conrad expresses concern that her party is too quick to seek harmony with President-elect Donald Trump and his populist movement, which is returning to power alongside a Republican-dominant Congress.

A clear example of this was the Senate vote on Friday.

Ten Democrats, primarily from key states, sided with the GOP to overcome a filibuster and pass the Laken Riley Act, marking an early victory for Trump. This measure mandates that federal authorities detain undocumented immigrants suspected of theft, even when they haven’t been formally charged.

“Perhaps we’re being misled,” Conrad, who chairs the Washington State Democratic Party at 40, told YSL News.

While she acknowledges that voters want politicians to prioritize border security and related issues, she finds it rare to see Republicans extend similar accommodations to progressive agendas when Democrats hold the White House and Congress.

“I have not witnessed the Republican Party showing a willingness to collaborate,” Conrad remarked. “It seems the Republican Party is increasingly radicalized, with even moderate Republicans being overwhelmed.”

As Democrats and progressive advocates come to terms with their political losses, there is growing division on how to address or engage with the incoming Trump administration.

Moderate Democrats are taking a wait-and-see approach, largely influenced by a shift in independent voters’ opinions of the president-elect. In contrast, left-wing activists caution that even slight alignment with the MAGA agenda on contentious issues could empower the new president, granting him key victories at the expense of essential progressive beliefs.

“I’m most concerned about Trump realizing his promises, which could shift American culture further to the right, while Democrats chase the middle ground—further alienating marginalized communities on the left,” said Corryn Freeman, executive director of Future Coalition, which supports youth activism.

Democrats from larger states, however, are raising their voices as leaders of the resistance, insisting they will not yield. They are devising strategies to counter MAGA-aligned policies with liberal alternatives, aiming to reignite support from a base that largely abstained from voting on Election Day.

Yet, even some left-oriented grassroots organizations indicated to YSL News that internal polls reveal their members are seeking common ground, given the slim House Republican majority and a president-elect known for negotiation.

This change in approach primarily stems from the contrasting electoral dynamics of Trump’s victories, experts state, with the 2024 win coming after sweeping all seven battleground states and gaining ground in traditionally Democratic districts, like the Bronx, where Trump captured 27% of the vote compared to just 9% in 2016.

“Eight years ago, there was significant shock within the Democratic Party, causing many elected members to take a strong stance against Trump,” noted Casey Burgat, director of the legislative affairs program at George Washington University’s graduate school of management.

“While some may still feel that way, more are beginning to say, ‘Look, he is the president. They control both chambers, so let’s do what we can to ensure Democratic priorities are included in proposed legislation.'”

‘Demand for governance’: Trump returns with growing approval and an anxious public

Part of the current willingness to accommodate Democrats can be linked to Trump’s rising popularity post-election, despite persistent skepticism surrounding his key campaign promises, like mass deportations and tariffs.

A new YSL News/Suffolk poll reveals the president-elect’s favorable-unfavorable rating is now at 47%, an improvement compared to previous years. This shift can be attributed to gaining favor among independents, whose perception shifted from a net negative of 22% in December 2020 to just a net negative of 5% in January 2025.

The survey indicates that voters are seeking change on critical issues, with 54% stating that they believe the country is headed in the wrong direction. Among the seven issues listed, 47% identified the economy as the top priority, followed by immigration, at 21%, the only other issue reaching double digits.

“People are urging for some form of governance in D.C.,” said Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., who opposed the immigration bill. Kim, who was in the House during Trump’s initial rise nearly a decade ago, asserted that Democrats would not abandon their stance against “reckless” and “irresponsible” policies, but collaboration with the Trump administration will depend on the situation.

“Many supported Donald Trump partly because he presented himself as a disruptor,” he explained. “Undoubtedly, a lot of people, myself included, feel that the current political status quo isn’t working. It’s vital for the Democratic Party not to appear as a defender of the existing system.”

For instance, the freshman senator mentioned he has engaged with Trump’s transition team to discuss initiatives celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary this July. He also aims to explore potential anti-corruption laws, such as preventing cabinet members and Congress members from trading stocks while in office, an issue that has garnered interest from some Republican lawmakers.

J. Miles Coleman, an associate editor at Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia, noted that Trump’s latest victory feels more like a deliberate choice by voters rather than a random occurrence.

Consequently, Trump may currently enjoy a post-election honeymoon phase, which could wane once he takes office and begins implementing policies that might face public opposition. The YSL News/Suffolk survey indicated that voters are generally against him granting pardons to individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol insurrection.

Time will tell if this perspective holds true, Coleman remarked.

In the meantime, many Democrats from swing states or congressional districts won by Trump are uncertain about their political footing and are observing whether the president-elect overshoots on less popular aspects of his agenda.

“Trump operates on a transactional basis, and perhaps by now, some Democrats have realized: ‘If I want to secure something for my district or state, this is how he functions,'” Coleman stated. “They believe it will be best to engage cooperatively.”

Democratic leaders in this sphere recognize a significant takeaway from the latest presidential election: the party needs to adjust after Americans indicated a distrust in U.S. politics and a heightened skepticism towards government and institutions.

“If we focus on the daily controversies in Washington, D.C., and the unpredictable remarks from President Trump, we need to When we discuss jobs, it’s only a third of our conversations,” commented Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who was considered as a potential candidate for the 2024 Democratic ticket at one point last year.

Beshear has recently taken on the role of vice chair of the Democratic Governor’s Association, which is set to play a significant role in the upcoming gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia. These elections will serve as an early indicator of Trump’s popularity.

He emphasized that Democrats are committed to being genuine when talking about their principles and being empathetic towards disadvantaged groups, such as immigrants, women’s reproductive health, and LGBTQ+ rights. Nevertheless, the Bluegrass State leader mentioned that his party must concentrate on regaining the trust of voters by addressing their concerns, including the cost of living, safety in their neighborhoods, and the quality of public schools for children.

“If President Trump advances the interests of the American people on these issues, then Democrats should lend their support, as it benefits everyone,” Beshear noted. “However, when he promotes policies that could harm our citizens, we must stand against them.”

Shifting Strategies from Protests to State-Level Actions as Democrats Prepare for Challenges

A notable indicator that the left is reevaluating its approach to opposing Trump is the lack of planned large protests for his second inauguration, unlike the massive “Women’s March” in 2017.

The National Park Service reports a decrease in protest permit applications compared to eight years ago, and the organizers of the upcoming “People’s March on Washington,” scheduled for the weekend before Trump’s inauguration, are expecting around 50,000 attendees. This number is considerably lower than the approximately 470,000 protesters estimated to have gathered ahead of his first swearing-in event in 2017.

Joseph Geevarghese, the executive director of Our Revolution, the largest grassroots progressive political action group in the nation, remarked that these figures illustrate a broader shift in the activist left’s strategy.

“Ultimately, there’s a recognition that Trump has a governing trifecta, and we can’t protest at every opportunity,” he said. “We need to seize strategic chances to push forward initiatives we may collectively support.”

There is greater openness to collaborating on issues like capping credit card interest rates, which Trump advocated during his campaign, as well as identifying wasteful Pentagon expenditures with the aid of the newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which the incoming president stated would create significant changes.

A membership survey done by the group after the election indicates a strong desire for strategic collaboration, with 63% stating that Our Revolution should endorse initiatives of mutual interest with DOGE, compared to 37% who believe the group should entirely oppose it.

Democrats outside of Washington, D.C., are stepping up to answer the call of resistance, particularly in populous blue states like California, New York, and Illinois. The party has experienced some successes in state elections, and the number of government trifectas—states with Democratic control of the governor’s office and the legislature—has nearly tripled from six to 15 during this time.

In California, for instance, Democratic state lawmakers have put forward a bill to prevent federal agents from detaining undocumented children or their families on or near school grounds without a warrant.

Another proposed law aims to reduce collaboration between state prisons and federal immigration enforcement. Additionally, Florida Democrats have already allocated $50 million to strengthen legal defenses against the Trump administration and counter any potential mass deportation efforts.

Monique Limón, a California legislator representing much of Santa Barbara County, highlighted that undocumented immigrants have contributed billions in taxes, as reported by the IRS in 2022.

“Certain sectors in California depend heavily on immigrant workers,” she stated. “Whether it’s Silicon Valley or our agricultural industry, immigrants provide essential contributions, and the understanding of the detrimental effects this will have on various economic sectors is crucial for our state and the nation.”

Limón emphasized that Democratic state legislators will play a critical role in resisting federal policies under Trump, urging the president-elect and his team to pay attention to the perspectives of everyday Americans.

In Maryland, for example, new bills have been introduced to more thoroughly assess greenhouse gas emissions from transportation projects and establish a climate superfund requiring fossil fuel corporations to contribute to efforts against climate change.

New Mexico Democrats have also suggested a measure to ban new emissions in counties with high ozone levels and have pushed for a constitutional amendment to safeguard individuals’ rights to clean air and water.

Regarding abortion rights, Virginia Democrats have introduced initiatives requiring health insurance companies to cover fertility treatments like in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and are working towards a constitutional amendment to establish a fundamental right to reproductive freedom.

Addressing LGBTQ+ issues, officials highlight that Democrats in Virginia have advanced a constitutional amendment to secure marriage equality.

“As we anticipate a Republican takeover in Washington with Project 2025 as their framework, hope and resistance will manifest at the state level,” remarked Sam Paisley, spokesperson for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, the party’s arm focused on state legislative affairs.

“During Trump’s first term, state legislators formed a barrier against his policies, and that barrier is even more fortified as we approach 2025,” she added. “Democratic strength within the states will combat any drastic rollbacks on climate initiatives, reproductive rights, protections for immigrants, and more. The focus should be on the states.”