Democrats who ooze anti-Trump resistance credibility — even central figures in past Trump impeachments — are struggling to withstand the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America and their allies in party primaries . Why it matters: In the first Trump administration, involvement in impeachment was a fast-track ticket to Democratic stardom. Now it's seen as little more than set-dressing for an unpopular party establishment. - "Being aggressive on accountability and corruption (such as with impeachment) is not enough," one House Democrat told Axios in a text message. - Democratic primary voters, the Democrat said, "are looking for us to be more aggressive and bold on a whole host of issues. ... Standing up to Trump is a must, but…
Rep. Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) defeated former Rep. Cori Bush in his primary on Tuesday, thwarting an attempt by left-wing groups, including the Democratic Socialists of America, to avenge Bush's 2024 loss. Why it matters: It's a win for the Democratic establishment in an election cycle where triumphs against left-wing insurgents have been few and far between. - Bell's win was propelled in part by United Democracy Project, the super PAC arm of AIPAC, which spent more than $3 million to thwart Bush's comeback , according to Federal Election Commission filings. - Bell was also endorsed by House Democratic leadership and the Congressional Black Caucus, while Bush had the backing of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and left-wing groups such as DSA and…
Progressive groups are preparing to primary any House Democrat who votes against a war powers resolution constraining the Trump administration from carrying out military operations in Iran, Axios has learned. Why it matters: The threat raises the stakes of a highly charged Thursday vote which has split a group of hawkish Democratic centrists from the rest of their party. - "Any Democrat voting against this resolution is really voting against the base of the party, and it will be a very politically perilous vote," a senior progressive House Democrat told Axios. - The lawmaker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss plans that have not been previously publicized, said there are "several progressive groups that will primary…
Chris Cuomo opens with a new plea from “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie in the search for her 84-year-old mother. Nancy Guthrie has been missing for more than three weeks. Her daughter released a video on social media offering $1 million for information that directly leads to her mother’s return. She also announced a $500,000 donation to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, saying her family is not alone in the grief of a missing loved one. Senior national correspondent Brian Entin joins the show with the latest details, including new information about DNA found in the Guthrie home. Tuesday marks the first official State of the Union address of Donald Trump’s second term. “CUOMO” previews the address with…
President Trump will deliver the first State of the Union address of his second term tonight, with the speech slated to begin around 9 p.m. In addition to Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger's Democratic response, Democrats have planned counterprogramming to the address to protest the president. Some Democrats who are skipping the speech will host what they call the "People's State of the Union." The event is hosted by liberal activist groups, including MoveOn Civic Action, and will feature “everyday Americans most impacted by Trump’s dangerous agenda.” Some of the Democratic attendees include Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Chris Van…
House Democrats are facing increasingly frustrated demands from their left flank not to give the Trump administration another inch on ICE funding . Why it matters: That could mean shutting down the Department of Homeland Security, which is set to run out of cash on Friday unless Congress agrees to a funding stopgap. - "Shut it down, shut it down, shut it down," Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) told Axios, "and maybe, maybe, they'll take us serious and understand that we are unwilling to negotiate some minimal crap." - "The Democrats have got to be really, really strong about stopping Trump's authoritarianism and reining in ICE," Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said in a phone interview. - Members of the progressive group MoveOn "haven't budged…
Democrats are expected to provide the necessary votes to reopen the government and keep the Department of Homeland Security funded for two weeks, multiple senior lawmakers tell Axios. Why it matters: That is sure to infuriate progressives and grassroots groups who have demanded the lawmakers keep the agency shut down as leverage to force drastic changes at ICE and Customs and Border Protection. - Members of the liberal group MoveOn are "calling offices and sending letters" urging them to use their leverage, a spokesperson told Axios. - But many Democrats are wary of letting DHS funding lapse, citing their districts' need for disaster relief funding and the fact that the DHS stopgap is meant to facilitate negotiations on compromise ICE…
