The Morning: The new resistance

Plus, Elon Musk, South Korea and Pope Francis.

View in browser|nytimes.com March 7, 2025 Good morning. We're covering the fractured Democratic opposition to President Trump — as well as Elon Musk, South Korea and Pope Francis. During President Trump's address to Congress. Kenny Holston/The New York Times The new resistance By Lisa Lerer I cover politics and elections. Yesterday, several Democrats disavowed one of their own. Representative Al Green of Texas had jumped up during President Trump's address to Congress on Tuesday. The lawmaker yelled that Trump had no mandate to cut Medicaid, shook his cane at the dais and refused to sit down. Eventually, the House speaker ejected him. It was a showy protest on national TV. And two days later, 10 of his fellow Democrats joined a Republican censure of him, renouncing his call for "righteous indignation and righteous incivility." How should Democrats resist Trump this time around? The answer isn't clear. Eight years ago, liberal voters flooded the streets, week after week, to protest Trump's actions on immigration, climate change and women's rights. This time, they're much quieter and far less unified. They lack a galvanizing leader. They're divided over ideology, strategy and tactics. Elected Democrats aren't sure how to battle a president whom more voters wanted than didn't. And many of their supporters are demoralized and resigned, choosing to tune out the news altogether. Their party is still grasping for a coherent response, and the speech on Tuesday captured their disorganization. Some Democratic lawmakers boycotted; some didn't. Some walked out of the chamber during the speech. Others held up signs, heckled Trump and wore hot pink suits in protest. Afterward came a sober-minded official Democratic response from Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, a rising star who won in a swing state. Today's newsletter looks at the fractured Democratic opposition to Trump 2.0. It falls roughly into four categories. The compromisers Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado. Nathan Howard/Reuters, Pool photo by Hyoung Chang Lawmakers, party leaders and strategists in this group point out that Trump won the election, so clearly voters wanted some of what he was selling. Governors — such as Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Jared Polis of Colorado — have given some political ground on issues where surveys indicate popular support for Trump's position. Think of immigration, tariffs and transgender athletes on girl's sports teams, which California's governor, Gavin Newsom, recently described as "deeply unfair." Some of this approach is driven by the need of governors to work with the federal government. Before Trump took office, Newsom positioned himself as a leader of the opposition, calling a special session of the state legislature to craft lawsuits and "safeguard California values." After the fires ravaged Los Angeles in January, he adopted a less confrontational style. For instance, he suspended provisions of some state environmental laws while he appeals to the federal government for aid. The resisters These Democrats — a younger and more liberal group — argue that the party must stridently oppose nearly every action taken by the administration. They want to update the 2017 strategy of outrage and protest for a new era. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut embodies this approach. As my colleague Annie Karni detailed last month, he assails the administration in videos on social media, posts on X, floor speeches, interviews and essays. "The case I'm making to Democrats is that we have to fight every single day," he said on CNN's "State of the Union" this week. "We have to be on the offensive 24/7." Green, the censured Texas congressman who heckled Trump, is an adherent of this view. Many others in the House agree. The lawyers Another set of Democratic officials believes the best place to fight Trump is in court. With Democrats locked out of federal power, the party's 23 attorneys general have become the front line of the opposition. They've already filed seven lawsuits against the administration, challenging executive actions to end birthright citizenship, freeze federal funding and other moves. The attorneys general of Arizona, Minnesota, New Mexico and Oregon even held their own town hall meeting this week in Phoenix, responding to voters in an unusual joint event. The pragmatists Senators Elissa Slotkin and Chuck Schumer. Pool photo by Paul Sancya, Eric Lee/The New York Times This group of Democrats argues that the party needs to find a message that works and not just reflexively oppose everything Trump does. The most extreme version was articulated by the strategist James Carville, who says Democrats should let Republicans and Trump sink under the unpopularity of their initiatives. "Roll over and play dead," he told Democrats. But in Congress, Democrats have largely chosen an economic focus, stressing issues like the cost of eggs, the potential of higher prices from tariffs and the threats to popular programs like Medicaid and Social Security. Many of those championing this approach are more experienced members of Congress, like Senator Chuck Schumer, the minority leader. But not all: Slotkin, who won in a state where Trump prevailed, stuck to bread-and-butter issues during her response to Trump on Tuesday. Wrapped within her message was a far more basic plea: "Don't tune out. It's easy to be exhausted, but America needs you now more than ever," she said. "If previous generations had not fought for democracy, where would we be today?" To her and other Democrats, there are two dire problems. Trump is one. The other is the apathy of their own voters. Related: Trump's critics, fearing retribution, are going silent. THE LATEST NEWS Trump's Tariffs Trump suspended most new tariffs on Canada and Mexico just two days after they took effect. The quick reversal seemed to unsettle the stock market. Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, earned Trump's admiration. Their warm relationship helped persuade him to pause the tariffs. Canada has taken a harder line on Trump: After the tariffs briefly took effect, many government-run liquor stores pulled American-made spirits off the shelves. Trump appears to enjoy turning tariffs on and off like tap water, David Sanger writes. But allies and investors simply feel whiplash. Government Overhaul Linda McMahon, the education secretary. Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times Trump is said to be preparing an executive order to dismantle the Education Department, though it's likely that only Congress can eliminate it. Republican lawmakers have pushed for the elimination of the department since its creation by an act of Congress four decades ago. Republicans are growing uneasy with Elon Musk's federal government cuts. Trump, in apparent response to the concerns, said the next phase would be done with a "scalpel" rather than a "hatchet." More than a dozen immigration judges accepted government payouts to leave their jobs, further depleting an overwhelmed system. The State Department plans to close a dozen overseas consulates by the summer, and it is considering shutting down many more. A record number of people visited U.S. national parks last year. It appears the Trump administration, which has fired park employees, wants to keep the record quiet. The administration has started to reinstate some of the federal workers that it had let go. See a list of those who were fired and then rehired. More on Trump The administration is finalizing a plan to bar visitors from certain countries, a ban that would be broader than the versions Trump issued in his first term. Trump signed an executive order to create a national stockpile of Bitcoin and other digital currencies. Critics call the idea a scheme to enrich crypto investors. Trump's policies — and their sometimes chaotic application — have shaken America's once-solid economic outlook. In his Senate confirmation hearing, Dr. Marty Makary, Trump's pick to lead the F.D.A., said he would review rules on abortion pill access. Europe U.S. and Ukrainian officials plan to meet next week to discuss the first steps of a deal that could seek to end the war with Russia. Donors to Britain's Conservative Party are now funding a right-wing populist party that models itself on Trump's MAGA movement. More International News President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea. Pool photo by Song Kyung-Seok A South Korean court ordered the release of the country's impeached president from jail. "This tears open a deep wound all over again": Israel's release of a Hamas leader convicted over his role in a deadly bombing has prompted intense emotion. Eastern Australia is bracing for a powerful cyclone. The authorities ordered thousands to evacuate, and tens of thousands more are without power. Other Big Stories Pope Francis thanked Catholics for their prayers in an audio recording from the hospital. A SpaceX rocket failed during a test flight. Falling debris disrupted flights in Florida and Pennsylvania. South Carolina plans to execute a man today. The inmate chose to be executed by firing squad, the first use of the method in the country in 15 years. An unvaccinated person who died in New Mexico tested positive for measles, possibly the second such fatality in a growing outbreak. Opinions Trump believes his sacrifice of Ukraine will protect the United States from war with Russia. He risks antagonizing Washington's allies, Farah Stockman writes. Here are columns by Michelle Goldberg on the right's self-deception and David Brooks on Trump's ego. The Games Sale. Our best offer won't last. Come play with us. Subscribe to New York Times Games for up to 75% off your first year. Strengthen your strategy with Wordle Bot, reach Genius on Spelling Bee, play The Crossword and more. MORNING READS Photographs by Jeffrey S. Pippen Nature: Butterfly populations are falling in the U.S. See how they're faring in your area. 'Rebel With a Clause': Grammar fans are flocking to a film about participles and gerunds. A $1.5 billion hack: How the biggest crypto heist in history went down. Stops and starts: Aging may not be a linear process. Getting better: Are you in a therapy rut? Here's how to get out. Most clicked yesterday: Inside the most divisive restaurant in London. Lives Lived: In addition to being a master of the jazz vibraphone, Roy Ayers was a leader in the movement that added electric instruments, rock and R&B rhythms, and a more soulful feel to jazz in the 1970s. He died at 84. SPORTS ESPN: Stephen Smith agreed to a five-year, $100 million contract extension with the broadcasting giant. Boxing: Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor will fight for a third time atop the first all-women's card held at Madison Square Garden. ARTS AND IDEAS In Kyiv, Ukraine. Mauricio Lima for The New York Times After Ukrainian soldiers die, the band of the 101st Separate Guard Brigade of the General Staff bids them farewell. At funerals, the mission of 21-member band is twofold: to acknowledge the toll of the conflict and to keep spirits high for those who are still fighting. "We treat every funeral like it's our most important concert," one member said. Read more about the band's work. More on culture A Muslim athlete needed modest sportswear. Now she sells it to others. Late night hosts joked about Trump's tariff pivot: "I can't believe this, but your tariff went bad faster than my avocados," Seth Meyers said. THE MORNING RECOMMENDS … Armando Rafael for The New York Times Make "marry me salmon" when you want to impress. Edit videos with a powerful laptop. Survive daylight saving time. Take our news quiz. GAMES Here is today's Spelling Bee. Yesterday's pangrams were cavatelli and vacillate. And here are today's Mini Crossword, Wordle, Sudoku, Connections and Strands. Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. See you tomorrow. P.S. Times reporters and editors answered readers' questions about how we cover the Trump administration. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Reach our team at themorning@nytimes.com. Editor: Adam B. Kushner News Editor: Tom Wright-Piersanti Associate Editor: Lauren Jackson News Staff: Desiree Ibekwe, Brent Lewis, German Lopez, Ashley Wu News Assistant: Lyna Bentahar Saturday Writer: Melissa Kirsch Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for the Morning newsletter from The New York Times, or as part of your New York Times account. To stop receiving The Morning, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018