Ann Arbor Times

Political leaders from both the Republican and Democratic parties are largely silent as President Donald Trump nears his first 100 days in office. University of Michigan expert Jonathan Hanson from the Ford School of Public Policy discussed the situation surrounding Trump's array of policy shifts on issues like immigration and tariffs. Hanson notes, "The flurry of executive actions unleashed by the Trump administration is unlike anything we’ve seen in our history."

Democratic leaders have not yet led a coordinated opposition. According to Hanson, "They may disagree on tactics, with some seeking to fight with every tool they have available and others believing that they can mostly wait and let Trump sink himself under the weight of his own actions." Meanwhile, Republicans who uphold constitutional order mostly remain silent, with some fearing retaliation from Trump and his followers.

Signs of opposition are starting to surface, with economic impacts from Trump's tariffs and other policies possibly fueling resistance. Hanson points out a recent example with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who visited the White House. He explains that the Trump administration "is using federal power and money to reward those who cooperate and punish those who don’t," putting figures like Whitmer in difficult positions.

Looking towards future elections, Hanson advises that Democratic mobilization should not be solely about the 2026 elections but about forming a clear, coordinated opposition immediately. He asserts, "Political mobilization from Democrats should not be about positioning for 2026, but rather about leading a coordinated opposition with clear messaging right now."

On the Republican side, Hanson suspects a mixed reaction. "There’s quite a wide range from the true believers to those who like the general policy ideas but feel Trump is going too far, to those who cannot fathom what Trump has done to the party."

For the Democratic Party, Hanson's view is that they need to actively fight against Trump's direction for the country. "Democratic voters are looking for someone to fight for them," he notes, warning that if Democratic politicians do not act, their voters might seek alternative leaders.