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Updated: August 28, 2026 @ 6:19 am
Texas Senate candidate James Talarico speaks to potential constituents.
Texas Senate candidate James Talarico speaks to potential constituents.
As the midterm election approaches, I am reflecting on the events that have transpired since President Donald Trump took office for the second time almost two years ago, and the corresponding reactions from the left. Following recent primary victories for leftist and Democratic Socialist candidates, it is looking like the tide may be turning come November.
However, I wonder how far state-level or Congressional victories can go, when our president has shown over the first half of his term that he has no interest in compromising his power.
Over the course of Trump’s second term, I have been constantly disappointed by the lack of strong opposition from Democrats — especially those in Congress — to his more outlandish ideas. For example, the new White House ballroom.
Trump has been working on this massive project for months and Congress is more or less complicit in this destruction of a historical and iconic building.
On Aug. 21, Chief Justice John Roberts issued a stay, an order which pauses lower court decisions while the Supreme Court considers a case, which has allowed construction to continue on the ballroom amid the ongoing legal battle to halt it.
There is no turnover of justices during elections, so Trump’s steadfast grip on the court helps him through a possible change of majority or majorities in Congress.For a president who is riddled by lawsuits and other legal trouble, support from the court is crucial to succeeding in the second half of his term.
Something I have found myself often thinking during this presidency is “can he actually do that?” It seems to me like Trump has continuously pushed the boundaries of acceptable behavior by a president, with little to no resistance from his own party, and weak resistance from the Democrats.
Key party figures like Gavin Newsom, who is hinting at a bid for the Democratic nomination in the next presidential election, have chosen gimmicky responses over concrete action when it comes to Trump.
While it is old news at this point, I’m still baffled by Newsom’s choice to sell merch in the style of Trump’s in an attempt to poke fun of the president, when to someone with the narcissistic personality of Trump, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.
Aside from politicians, the Democratic Party platform is not looking promising either, appearing to coast along supporting moderates and posting memes on social media.
When I am feeling insecure about our future as a country, I do not want to see the official social media account for the party I am most closely aligned with posting about Trump’s lackluster dance moves.
What the Democratic Party needs to truly succeed in the midterms, and in 2028, is not the barbs and buffoonery of Trump, but steadfastness.
Instead of meeting Trump at his level, Democrats need to meet Americans at theirs. Selling MAGA-style hats does not give me faith that a politician will defend the rights of the people when they are under attack, and hopping on the latest trend does not indicate a drive to fight for the future of our country.
What gives me hope as this crucial election season begins are the individuals who show they are unafraid to be criticized for their beliefs, or their ideas to actually improve the well-being of those they represent.
I see this steadfastness amongst Congressional candidates attempting to flip seats in the midterms. Politicians like James Talarico in Texas and Manny Rutinel in Colorado are both appealing to voters and strong in their opposition to Trump.
Newly elected New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is a promising Democratic Socialist figure that party hopefuls should be emulating. Mamdani has repeatedly stood up to Trump and other powerful figures such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while also focusing time and energy into his constituents.
This election should not be a contest of who hates Trump more, but rather who has more ambition, drive and care for their potential constituents to defend them from the harm that this administration is inflicting.
Claire Krueger is the opinion editor.
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