Sen. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, stated on Sunday that he was unhappy with the Democratic chamber’s reaction to President Donald Trump’s extensive speech to Congress last week.
“I think the lack of a coordinated response in the State of the Union was a mistake, and frankly, it took the focus off of where it should have been, which is on the fact that the president spoke for an hour and 40 minutes and had nothing to say about what he would do to bring down costs for American families that were watching that lengthy address sitting at the kitchen table, hoping that he would offer something to help them afford a new home or pay the rent to afford health care or child care,” Schiff said on “This Week.
During Trump’s speech, a number of protests were attended by Democratic lawmakers. To express their opposition, a few female congressmen wore hot pink. Elon Musk was called out on signs held by other Democratic members. Some chose to leave early or boycott the speech.
Schiff disputed Democratic strategist James Carville’s recent suggestion in a New York Times opinion piece that Democrats should “roll over and play dead” and wait for Republicans “to crumble beneath their own weight,” arguing that the focus should instead be on “the economic well-being of Americans.”
“We need to have our own broad, bold agenda … to answer really the central question which is, if you’re working hard in America, can you still earn a good living?” Schiff said. “Instead of just letting policies fall apart under the corrupt weight of our own weight, we must be pushing them forward and arguing for what we have to offer. As is, we must use litigation effectively. Effective communication is essential if we want to speak to new people in our own unique ways.
Additionally, Schiff voiced his annoyance and disapproval of Trump’s proposed whiplash tariffs.
Trump levied a 25% tariff on products originating from Mexico or Canada on Tuesday. He announced a one-month delay for auto parts the next day. In an executive order signed on Friday, Trump expanded the delay to include all products covered by the USMCA, a free trade agreement he signed during his first term. About 38% of Canadian imports and about half of Mexican imports are covered by the USMCA.
Schiff stated that Democrats must begin to react more skillfully to Trump’s economic policies and tariffs.
“This is deeply destructive, what they’re doing,” he stated. “The American people will sense it, so we must present that argument to them. However, I believe it is extremely risky to lose focus, so let’s concentrate on the issues that Americans care about the most. Let us draw attention to the detrimental effects they are causing, such as the reduction of Medicaid and the cutting of services, which will result in higher health care costs and limited access for individuals.
