Dems Are Right: Trump Is Undermining Democracy. So Is Their Party's Right Wing.

"The Democratic Party's rallying cry for years has been steady: Donald Trump is an existential threat to our democracy. And with the de facto occupation of U.S. cities by the National Guard, we hear a whole lot from the party about "defending democracy" against Trump. A proper defense of democracy, however, requires acknowledging how moderate and right-wing Democrats have undermined it themselves."

"When Senate Democrats caved to their Republican counterparts over the most recent government shutdown, they did so at the expense of subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, which will make health care even more unaffordable for millions. The capitulation came despite the fact that most voters want to extend the subsidies, and a large majority of Democrats wanted their elected officials to hold the line and refuse to approve a budget that didn't include the subsidies."

"The shutdown is but one example of the lack of resolve from the party's moderate and right wings in defending the interests of the majority. From the neglect of Democratic voters' desire to end the genocide in Gaza, to the virtual coronation of Kamala Harris as the successor to Biden as the Democratic candidate for 2024 election, Democrats have hardly been a paragon for democracy or reflected the will of the people in national politics."

Democrats have long warned that Donald Trump is an existential threat to democracy while simultaneously relying on National Guard deployments in U.S. cities. Moderate and right-wing Democrats have undermined democratic principles through compromises and closed-door decision-making. Senate Democrats' acquiescence in the recent government shutdown sacrificed Affordable Care Act subsidies, making health care less affordable despite broad public support for extending subsidies. Party leaders have neglected Democratic voters' calls to end the genocide in Gaza and have effectively coronated Kamala Harris as Biden's successor. Local politics reflect similar patterns, with Philadelphia moderates conducting closed negotiations, shortening public engagement, ignoring community demands, and favoring business interests.

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