As President-elect Trump prepares for office, Capitol Hill Democrats are proactively seeking to fortify executive branch policies against anticipated changes.
The Hill reported that in anticipation of President-elect Donald Trump's return to office, Democrats are pushing President Biden to implement measures to preserve current federal policies and agency structures.
Democrats are advocating for President Biden to use executive powers to protect key federal agencies from sweeping reforms Trump plans to implement upon his inauguration.
The aim is to safeguard Democratic advancements in policy and reinforce the stability of agencies such as the Justice Department and intelligence communities.
With the Republicans gaining control of the lower chamber, the ability for substantial legislative action during this lame-duck session is hampered, prompting Democrats to focus on unilateral executive actions.
Trump's proposed restructuring includes a broad purge of administration he considers overly politically correct, including "woke" generals. High-profile figures such as Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are expected to play significant roles in Trump’s administration.
Furthermore, Trump’s plans include the establishment of a "Department of Government Efficiency," aimed at reducing government spending and regulations, with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy being floated as potential leaders.
The Democratic response to these anticipated changes involves issuing a series of executive orders, fast-tracking the finalization of regulations, and speeding up federal funding disbursements for projects that have already received approval.
Changes to union contracts for federal employees have been suggested to safeguard their rights before the Trump administration takes over. Democrats are also pushing to confirm as many federal judges appointed by Biden as possible to ensure a lasting judicial influence.
Another point of contention is Trump’s apparent reluctance to support ongoing military aid to Ukraine, which faces continued aggression from Russia. This stance has raised concerns among Democrats about national security under Trump’s future administration.
Efforts to secure funding for projects initiated under the infrastructure bill and the Inflation Reduction Act are critical for Democrats to prevent Trump from revoking these initiatives.
Additionally, some Democrats, like Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), advocate for the protection of federal lands from development to counteract any aggressive exploitation initiatives that might be pursued by the incoming administration.
However, there is an overarching concern that any executive orders issued by Biden could be swiftly reversed by Trump, mirroring the rapid undoing of Trump's policies that Biden executed four years prior.
Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) highlighted the importance of the Biden administration being proactive, noting that they have been engaged in scenario planning to prepare for Trump's potential actions.
"It would be a huge political malpractice for them not to anticipate this scenario and have some plans in place," said Huffman, emphasizing the urgency of preparedness.
Representative Richard Neal (Mass.) expressed optimism about achieving significant outcomes during the lame-duck session, reinforcing the sentiment that urgent actions are feasible and necessary.
Representative Jerry Nadler (N.Y.) voiced concerns about Trump’s potential impact on military preparedness due to his stance on military aid to Ukraine. "That will be terrible for the preparedness of the country," Nadler remarked.
Representative John B. Larson (Conn.) stressed the necessity of disbursing already appropriated funds for Ukraine, to ensure they are used as intended before Trump’s administration can block or redirect them.
As the political landscape braces for Trump's presidency, the actions taken in these final weeks by Biden will likely set the stage for an intense political showdown once Trump assumes office.
