These six Democrats are showing the party how to resist Trump 2.0

[Autumn]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/03/17/democrats-trump-resist-sanders-aoc-murphy-walz/

As leadership dithers, individual politicians are taking up the fight.

Many on the left, myself included, are furious at Democratic Party officials for not aggressively contesting President Donald Trump. The decision by Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (New York) last week to acquiesce to a Trump-backed budget bill was the latest in a series of capitulations by congressional Democrats. Even worse is California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has bizarrely decided this is the time for him to start a podcast with softball interviews of pro-Trump conservatives such as Stephen K. Bannon and Charlie Kirk.

But there are some Democratic politicians who are showing real fight and resolve — and have from the start of Trump’s second term. They are not only voting against his initiatives but attacking him in ways intentionally designed to get media attention and galvanize opposition against the new administration.

Here are some of the stars of Resistance 2.0, at least in the first two months of the second Trump administration. It’s not a comprehensive list, nor is it a power ranking (I have ordered them alphabetically), but each of these figures has distinguished themselves in ways that others in the party should emulate.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (Texas). Asked what she would tell Elon Musk if she had a chance to speak with him, Crockett had a two-word answer: “F — off.”

Sen. Chris Murphy (Connecticut) Within weeks of Trump’s inauguration, the Connecticut senator, not previously known as a liberal firebrand, was using terms such as “red alert” and “constitutional crisis.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York) Other Democrats should emulate how Ocasio-Cortez dealt with Homan. She both belittled him — he can’t even get a MAGA attorney general to take him seriously — and cast him as an authoritarian.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker Jan. 20, only hours after the inauguration, the 60-year-old governor released a statement sharply criticizing the president’s initial executive orders and correctly predicting Trump would ignore the rule of law on a number of issues

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) In many ways, the 83-year-old’s “Fighting Oligarchy” national tour is nothing new. Sanders spent 2016 to 2020 traveling the country and bashing the wealthy in his two presidential campaigns.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz “The road to authoritarianism is littered with people saying, ‘You’re overreacting,’” he told the crowd in Des Moines.


We have warriors like these people . Where is our leadership?

[Bayard]

1. Bookmarking for that quote from Walz

For all the people currently saying--It will never happen.

[choie]

80. That is a great line.

[Bluetus]

119. Even that quote is 10000X too timid

Although I give Walz credit for being out there. But the fact is we are not "on the road to authoritarianism" any more than we are "in danger of a Constitutional crisis."

We are already there.

Walz sentiment is right. The tense is wrong.

In other words, the correct statement is, "We can now see that the road to authoritarianism WAS paved with ' you are overreacting' ".

The question is not how can we avoid authoritarianism. The question is, is there any way to turn this around now?

[Fords Crackpipe]

2. Seven Democrats. I would add Sen. Elizabeth Warren to that list. Other than that I agree. n/t

[ShazzieB]

26. Yes, she definitely belongs on there!

[Walleye]

3. We have so many intelligent and good hearted people in our party. Good should win over evil.

[KPN]

8. Hows that been working lately? Would that it was so but

it seems more like “Nice thought though”.

[FoxNewsSucks]

19. You worded that correctly,

Good SHOULD win. But it usually doesn't because Evil cheats.

[SunImp]

21. Evil cheats absolutely, but I think there is a lot more bad people out there than good

And way more inbetween that are easily swayed by either side.

[Deep State Witch]

4. Add Jamie Raskin to the list

He's been one of the ones out front, especially WRT protecting Federal employees. His district has a lot of Federal agencies and employees. He's also a Constitutional scholar.

[Galraedia]

105. Jamie Raskin should replace Hakeem Jeffries

and just about any democrat could do a much better job than Chuck Schumer.

[Deep State Witch]

121. Other Than Fetterman

Dude's been a serious disappointment..

[momta]

5. I think you answered your own question.

Our leadership is coming from the rank and file of the party.

[SocialDemocrat61]

6. 5 Democrats and 1 Independent

is more accurate.

[FoxNewsSucks]

20. That I is a far better democrat than most of the elected

people with the D after their names. As usual, he's proving that right now.

[W_HAMILTON]

28. His wife was on social media excusing people for that didn't vote for the Democrat against Trump on Election Day.

With friends like these...

[SocialDemocrat61]

30. Doesn't charge the fact

He refuses to become a democrat.

[NoRethugFriends]

33. And doesn't change the fact that is irrelevant and you surely know it.

You just wanted to bash Bernie.

[SocialDemocrat61]

37. No I was recognizing a fact

Why is saying the truth considered bashing?

[Emile]

47. Are you glad Bernie caucus with the Democratic Congressional Progressives?

[SocialDemocrat61]

49. Yes

Why wouldn’t I be? Same for Angus King who is also an independent.

[Emile]

64. So why do you feel it necessary to point out

Bernie is not a Democrat?

[SocialDemocrat61]

65. Because he's not a Democrat

and never has been. He's an independent who has refused to join the Democratic party. That's reality. We shouldn't be afraid or threatened by reality.

[Emile]

66. Not a bit afraid. EVERYONE KNOWS THIS FACT

So what's your point?

[SocialDemocrat61]

67. Do they?

I can’t read minds so I don’t know what everyone knows or doesn’t know. The OP referred to Sanders as a democrat which is not the truth. So my point was to state the truth. Simple enough.

[Emile]

68. Of course they do. Everyone on DU knows this fact.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

69. Spit that hook out, Emile n/t

[Emile]

70. I go barbless.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

71. ...

[SocialDemocrat61]

73. I don't know if they do

or not. If you do then good for you. But why is it so egregious to simply state a fact that everyone supposedly knows already? A bit of a tempest in a teapot.

[Emile]

75. It's not. Just trying to understand why you feel it's

that important to you to state that fact. I'm glad you're happy that Bernie caucus with Democrats.

[SocialDemocrat61]

77. Because I feel facts

and the truth are important. Republicans didn’t become a delusional party overnight. It happened gradually over the past 80 years, fudging one fact here and one fact there to start. Now they’ve built an entire alternate universe. We should strive to always be as accurate and truthful as possible.

[Emile]

78. The fact is, you are happy Bernie caucus with the

Democratic party. Be proud of that fact, we're all on the same team here.

[SocialDemocrat61]

79. Yes we are

And no one deserves to be attacked for stating the truth.

[Emile]

81. And no one is.

[SocialDemocrat61]

82. Read the thread

All I did was state a simple fact with no criticism attached to anyone and have been attacked by several people.

[Emile]

84. Everyone knows you are happy Bernie is on our team.

But I don't see anyone attacking you. Sorry you feel that way.

[SocialDemocrat61]

86. I was accused of bashing

Sanders when all I did was point out that he was an independent. Please don’t tell me that wasn’t an attack.

[Emile]

87. No one who is happy with Bernie as you are would bash him.

I don't think that's an attack though.

[SocialDemocrat61]

88. You're free to think what you want

But it was directed at me and I felt attacked for the sin of stating a fact. When we start attacking our own for speaking the truth, we are just as bad as those we claim to oppose.

[Emile]

89. Are you making plans to go to a Bernie rally when he

gets in your area?

[SocialDemocrat61]

90. No

I don’t go to rallies. Haven’t been to one for decades.

[Emile]

91. If he comes to my area, I will be there. I missed a chance

to see him a couple years ago when he came to Lafayette, Indiana. My son said it was great.

[SocialDemocrat61]

92. Have a good time

I live in NYC, rallies here get way to crowded and I’m not as young as I use to be.

[Emile]

94. Oh, I'm not a young man myself. I been working out

and getting in shape in case he comes this way again.

[Callie1979]

107. And they didnt win by simply getting republicans to vote for them

Its time to find out why democrats & independents DID or skipped the race.
There are many reasons and some of them aren't allowed to be discussed here. Ignoring those reasons will simply get another loss. And simply saying :"NO" wont either. A good example is the speech a week ago; Democrats were lockstep to not applaud for ANYTHING; even a kid who survived cancer. THAT will get you more losses.& it was a terrible look.
While I didnt agree with him at the time, my brother said a year ago "I think the only way to defeat these idiots is for trump to win and do what he promised to do. THEN everyone will see how it affects THEM and it may turn things around"
Since this election I've seen so many people with the "Well, it doesnt affect ME" attitude so I'm thinking he may be right. Because eventually it WILL affect "them". We'll never change the MAGA minds but they aren't the ones who win elections

[Linda ladeewolf]

114. If Bernie were a democrat,

The mainstream democrats would try to shut him up. I believe that could be why he maintains his independence from them. I don’t blame him in the least.

[SocialDemocrat61]

115. Fair enough.

[mucholderthandirt]

110. I am an Independent that refuses to join the Democratic party. Should I go away?

I'm a stronger defender of democracy than many with that big "D" after their name, as is pointed out here regularly. The appeasers, the cowards, the "Vichy Dems". I have more of a spine than many "D" members.

Such talk is why so many avoid the Democrats, who often talk one way and act another. How many of these wonderful Democrats are voting to help Trump? In a time when we need all hands on deck, how many are excusing their votes? How many are telling us, once again, that we have to be patient, that we have to go along to get along? That X, Y and Z have to wait their turn? Ask some of the black and gay members how that feels?

This is not the time for considered thought and no action. We are losing this country. Not for a couple of years (just wait for the mid-terms!), but for decades. DECADES!

But, whatever. let's put down Bernie Sanders, as usual here. He cares more for this country than some, but he's not a Democrat! The horror.

[SocialDemocrat61]

111. Please point out where I said independents should go away

And acknowledging that Sanders is an independent is not putting him down. It is simply stating the truth. No need to be threatened by that.

[Emile]

101. Are you glad Bernie caucus with the Democratic Congressional Progressives?

[NoRethugFriends]

31. Still bashing Bernie. Don't you ever get tired of that?

No reason for your post other than to bash him. We all know he's Independent.
And we all know HE CAUCUSES AND VOTES WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

[SocialDemocrat61]

34. How is acknowledging

that he's an independent bashing? He may think being called a democrat is bashing.

[NoRethugFriends]

36. Get real. No reason you did that other than to bash him.

[SocialDemocrat61]

38. Believe what you want

but I just said the truth.

[Nixie]

56. I'm just hoping these folks address just how it was that these oligarchs

got so much power in our government. It’s been 10 years we’ve known this threat and the cure was to vote for Democrats. Hopefully they add that self analysis for the public’s sake.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

35. Besides, some people act like we don't need Independent voters

We need all we can get!

[Emile]

108. Exactly +1

[True Blue American]

118. I do agree with that.

We should not be rejecting any one, except those who let the party down. When we needed them to stand up.

[Autumn]

57. That one Independent is more of a Democrat than some elected Democrats,

that's whats fucking accurate.

[SocialDemocrat61]

62. Depends on how one defines being a democrat

Southern conservatives were all Democrats up until about 60 years ago. And those southern conservatives are the ones who got New Deal legislation through for FDR.

[Autumn]

72. I'm a registered Democrat but I don't consider myself a Democrat. I'm a Democratic Socialist.

Those southern conservatives from the FDR era are are dead and gone. Southern conservatives today are nothing but assholes who won't do a damn thing for the people in this country. When you have to go back 87 years to praise Southern conservatives for doing something decent for the people that's pretty damn sad. That also tell one why this country is in such bad shape.

But yeah Bernie's not a Democrat.

[SocialDemocrat61]

74. Not praising anyone

I’m just pointing out that the definition of what a democrat is evolves and changes over time. To me there is only one indisputable definition of what a democrat is, a registered member of the Democratic Party.

[questionseverything]

83. Opinions and assholes, everybody has one

[Autumn]

97. I believe the quote is " Opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one or is one"'

[SocialDemocrat61]

102. Especially Trump supporters

[questionseverything]

127. So even though I have voted for the democratic candidate for over 45 years,

According to you, I’m not a democrat?

We are supposed to be a big tent, people like you that drive independents off is part of why we are in this mess

[SocialDemocrat61]

128. How?

Never said that independents are bad people.

[questionseverything]

129. I don't have to sign anything to be a democrat, nobody made you the decider

[SocialDemocrat61]

130. Never said I was

[SocialDemocrat61]

126. He does

But he’s still proudly an independent. That’s not a criticism, just a fact.

[MustLoveBeagles]

7. I'm so glad my gov is on that list

And Tim Walz.

[ShazzieB]

27. Me, too!

JB Pritzker is the best, and so is Tim Walz! 😁

[NNadir]

9. The answer to your question as to where are they is found in the short list.

Others will show up as "emerging" as those on the list.

The most important in my view are the two young women listed. They're on fire.

[BonnieJW]

22. Someone was saying

That AOC should primary Schumer. I agree

[NNadir]

54. I said it, probably among others. The risk is losing her in the House.

I want her to go far. Her intelligence and courage strike me as extremely valuable.

I also like her open mind.

[soldierant]

95. Thank you for pointing this out.

That is pretty much exactly how we lost Katie Porter, about which I am still heartbroken. And yes, she's still fighting, but without the "pulpit" (Her PAC is called Truth to Power.)

[gab13by13]

10. Chris Murphy would make a fine Leader one day,

[karin_sj]

24. I could see him as our president someday

If we ever get another fair election again.

[BadgerMom]

60. I take issue with "one day."

I’m nobody, but I think “one day” guarantees us leaders who are older, maybe too much older. We shouldn’t be afraid to think, “Now!”

[gab13by13]

11. 10 Timid Democrats kneecapped the rest,

1 House Democrat from Maine voted for the Musk CR making 10.

[barbtries]

12. Patty Murray of Washington is highlighting the stories of her constituents

who have been fired since this travesty began.

?si=fK9hg8y-djPy_FZA

Don Beyer of VA - this is an important issue; they're shrinking vocabulary. very 1984

?si=uRzAaQkI_y-mB83E

There are more, but bottom line is it's up to us, We the People, this time around.

[leftstreet]

13. DURec

[AKwannabe]

14. Pathetically small amount of Ds

When compared to the cacophony that should be standing up. Pathetic

[William769]

15. Kick & highly recommended.

[colorado_ufo]

16. Disappointed in Newsom, but we need to remember

that he used to be married to Kimberly Guilfoyle. That alone should make us question his judgment.

[BannonsLiver]

41. Why? She was a Dem when they were married then she went fucking crazy after they divorced.

I get the criticism over the dumb podcast. This one is just lame.

[Rebl2]

76. I must

say that does make me question his judgement.

[LaRaven]

17. Add Senators Whitehouse and Schiff to the list! Goldman too!

[Scubamatt]

18. We have great examples

of leaders, as this thread shows. And I hope we all can coalesce around their leadership. But I honestly cannot figure out why "The Old Guard" (and not referring to age, but to establishment) is strangely silent/compliant with what is going on. Obamas, Clintons, Pelosi - even Kamala? It's like they just want to fund raise off of this without getting out on the public stage and galvanizing public opinion. And please spare me the whole "what can they do, because they are not in power?" line. At a minimum, they can use the moral force of their personages to get this country to wake up. More than any piece of legislation, this country needs an honest discussion about what it stands for.

[DENVERPOPS]

25. Once again I state:

The perfect title for a book about the last 45+ YEARS......would be:

WHILE THE NATION SLEPT.....(DEMS????)

All walking down the jungle path swatting at mosquitoes, oblivious to the herd of charging elephants.......PUN INTENDED

[Hope22]

29. Maybe you could picture facing FOX day in and day out...

Lies, lies and more lies. Maybe we could spread a critical eye toward the lie telling thriving R’s. I’m pretty sick of attacking Dems out here!

[DENVERPOPS]

43. Thanks Hope, But,

The time for Dems to start raising hell, was in 1980, when the HWBush CABAL committed Treason to install Reagan in the White House. THEN WAS THE TIME TO RAISE HOLY HELL........

Same with the blatantly corrupted 2000 election, the corrupted 2004 Election, and definitely in the corrupted 2016 election, and without a doubt, the corrupted 2024 election......MANY here at DU noted that in the month prior to the 2024 election, Trump and many other Republican's were displaying confidence already that showed a foregone conclusion they were gonna win the election, and that they already some how? KNEW they were gonna win.....the "FIX" was in, once again,......just as in many previous Presidential Elections...

The 2024 election was their "checkmate"...........Trump himself, was bragging to his Trumphumpers at Rallies,.....
"Vote for me THIS ONE LAST TIME, and you will never have to vote again"..........WTF do you think he was saying to EVERYONE with that statement?????

And, just for the record, there were a TON of us screaming our heads off from the roof tops starting with the 1980 election.
I remember us all being chastised as far left, wing nut, fanatical weirdos.......And there were even a massive number of "Reagan Democrats" who were most vocal about us shouting out what the Republicans were doing.........

[Hope22]

48. Not sure who you are talking to.

I’ve been to DC marches year after year, called every Senator year after year in the days when Senators answered the phone for all Americans. Had a memorial in the front yard for US soldiers killed in Iraq and only stopped when pulling up 5000+ flags to mow time and again became too much to sustain. Lived in Ohio when the presidential election was stolen right out from under us. Marched at the statehouse week after week through December while the rest of America was out Christmas shopping. Yes, people have tried their hardest. Pretty sure this is not the place to attack Dems with a broad brush! We are in a world of hurt here and if we are to survive it will not be with the help of republicans. Go kick a dead horse. The Dems are the last hope here. We can build on it or give up now.

[DENVERPOPS]

52. Sooooooo,

you too, are one of the ones that have also been screaming from the roof tops! Awesome.........

I was addressing all the other voters and Dems we elected, that have been literally been asleep at the wheel for the past 45+ years...............and now find themselves "awakened" at the fact that it may have, or possibly has, reached the point of no return.

I am still in hopes that something will reverse this crap, but the Republicans have done a masterful job of covering all their bases for over 45+ years.....

[Prairie_Seagull]

23. Quasi subscription based WP link.

I believe Autumn is pointing out 'vocal, noise making opposition.' The others mentioned would be very good, even excellent if they had a bullhorn.

IMO

[Passages]

32. I believe the answer to your question is, at least for me...if they

wanted to be heard by now, they would be.

[Comrade Citizen]

39. No mention of New Mexico's reps

Rep. Melanie Stansbury has been at the forefront fighting the cuts as ranking member of the dog-e subcommittee.

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández has been speaking out against cuts affecting women as DWC Chair.

Sen. Angela Alsobrooks from Maryland has been fighting for the many Federal workers in her state.

I'm not surprised wapo would neglect NM since americans don't know or care that it's a US state, but I'm shocked that wapo would neglect to cover the excellent Senator from Maryland.

[Mr. Evil]

40. Schumer got paid.

Maybe even a recreational vehicle to boot for his precious book tour.

[Clouds Passing]

42. Melanie Stansbury NM!!!!M

[Escape]

51. YES! Melanie is fast becoming a hero!

Very articulate and strong.

Proud of my fellow New Mexican.

[Clouds Passing]

55. Welcome, Escape

[calimary]

120. Welcome to DU, Escape!

Glad you’re here and weighing in!

[FPGramma]

44. Until 2026 or law enforcement helps

We got nothing but thoughts and prayers. Resistance highlights the issues but congress needs backup from constituents, courts and law enforcement.

[Dr. T]

45. In 2005, Barack Obama

wasn't on anyone's radar. The new, unheard-of leader is out there, waiting to be discovered. They might be right under our noses.

[Magoo48]

46. Has anyone seen any reports from someone who has had the opportunity to ask one of them directly and get a response?

From the question, “what is your problem?”

[North Coast Lawyer]

50. Stop Excluding These People

Other than Walz, the Democratic leadership has fought tooth and nail against these people (and people like them). We're our own worst enemies. In 2016 the Democratic Party fought harder against Bernie than it did against Trump. More recently AOC has been excluded from leadership roles. This has got to stop! GOP lite is a losing strategy.

[dem4decades]

53. I saw Senator Schumer on CBS this morning selling his book, does that count?

[IrishBubbaLiberal]

58. 😳🤬😡

🤬😱😱😱

Thanks for that good laugh

[dem4decades]

59. I'm trying to keep a sense of humor about this whole thing, but it's difficult.

[Littlered]

61. It's easy to rage with righteous indignation

When you have no power to influence anything. I base my opinions on results, not platitudes that only end up being unobtainable and disappointing.

[sydsie]

63. OUR HEROS

And the one I want for President is Tim Walz. I have watched his town halls (a couple that have been shown) and he's smart, but doesn't talk down to the people , he has a sense of humor and further more he knows how to govern. Go read what Minnesotas say about him. They love this man and want him to stay on as Governor.

Sydney

[LetMyPeopleVote]

123. Welcome to DU

[Blue Owl]

85. Proceed

[LilElf70]

93. How many dems are in Congress?

And we only have about 20 good ones (on a good day)? That's certainly not a good show for us. Obviously something is wrong and needs to be fixed.

[Oopsie Daisy]

96. Technically, five.

[Gimpyknee]

98. Bernie is not a Democrat. He is proudly Independent.

I would add Jamie Raskin to that list.

[FoxNewsSucks]

103. Maybe if the Democratic party were less "centrist",

more eager to oppose republicons, billionaires and corporations, and less inclined to install leaders who apparently think things still work the same as they did in 1960, maybe then he'd join the Democratic party.

Along with a LOT of us who vote D, but are sick of that being taken for granted. Sick of the people we vote for not kicking republicon ass at every turn.

I don't ever want to hear Schumer or any other Democrat say "our friends on the other side of the aisle" again. EVER. They are NOT our friends. Friends don't rob you blind. Leave the sick to suffer and the poor to starve. They are our enemies and I want a Democratic party that realizes it and acts accordingly. Right now, that's not how it is.

[TBF]

104. Sounds like Wash Post - "bashing the wealthy"

I would not categorize Bernie as "bashing the wealthy" - this is Bezos being an ass. Bernie is critical of an economic system, capitalism, that is inherently inequitable. And, yes, he has empathy for those falling through the cracks. But someone like Bezos will never understand that.

[Callie1979]

106. Just reading the comments HERE shows why we keep LOSING

BITCH BITCH BITCH back & forth over whether Bernie Sanders should be considered part of the opposition because he's called himself an "Independent". Not even the point of the OP but 30 posts arguing about him.
Here's a hint: we're NOT going to defeat these cultists by constantly bickering over stupid shit like this. We have to show the non-MAGA trump voter WHY "his way" is a mistake and why the Democrats are better for them.
Like it or not we did a terrible job of it last year; for many reasons. But going all the way hard the OTHER way isnt going to bring them back

[Emile]

109. +1

[SocialDemocrat61]

112. Never said Sanders was the opposition

Just noted that he’s an independent, not a democrat. But you’re right, bickering over a simple statement of fact is stupid.

[mahina]

113. They are our leadership. No disrespect to Hakeem.

[LuvLoogie]

116. Our leaders are making sure that the Capitol steps are swept for the next scolding

and waiting for trump to get below 40 percent approval so the GOPs will work with us.

The trump government is full-on engaged in white supremacy. The GOPs are all in. The Constitution is an inconvenience to them. They know that nobody in government who has any kind of power will stop them. There are some in the courts, but there is no enforcement.

Fuck Merrick Garland, BTW. He was in on it, too.

[True Blue American]

117. I have been upset

With the old leaders and money men ever since they dumped Biden instead of standing up for a competent President. They cost us the election and I do not want to see any of them back again.

We have good,honest, capable candidates like those mentioned. I want to hear from them.

[Erda]

122. In my view Chuck Schumer is a good leader

And does not deserve the harsh judgments hurled at him.

If you cannot answer the questions: "How would we exit from a shutdown if Trump didn't allow us to exit?" or "Would Trump/Musk be able to tear through the government and quickly decimate it if the Courts were forced to close during a shutdown?" or "Would even more government workers be declared non-essential during a shutdown because there would be no money to pay them?" with certainty, then don't criticize Senator Schumer. He has considered these more than likely outcomes.

I like AOC but she still has a lot to learn. We must have the wisdom to outmaneuver these Fascists with the type of long-game tactics President Biden employed. Hurling insults might feel satisfying in the moment, but really changes nothing.

I appreciate Leader Schumer and thank him for his wisdom and experience. The only real solution is for "We the People" to stand up en masse and kick these Fascists to the curb.

[spanone]

125. K&R