In a surprising pivot, New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has joined a growing chorus of Democrats advocating for pragmatic cooperation with President-elect Trump during his second term. Speaking to Punchbowl News on Wednesday, Ocasio-Cortez stressed the importance of supporting policies that align with Democratic values, rather than opposing Trump reflexively.
“The reason why I think oftentimes Democrats occasionally lose elections is because we’re too reflexively anti-Republican, and that we don’t lean into an ambitious vision for working-class Americans strongly enough,” Ocasio-Cortez said. Her remarks signal a shift in strategy for the progressive lawmaker, who has often clashed with Republicans but now seems focused on finding common ground where possible.
This new approach is reflective of a broader recalibration within the Democratic Party following Trump’s decisive victory in 2024. Many Democrats, particularly those from swing districts or states, are prioritizing collaboration on key issues like border security, immigration reform, and economic policy.
Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz acknowledged that Democrats have been out of touch with voters on certain matters, especially immigration. “On some of these issues, we were to the left of the American people,” Moskowitz said, adding that the party is seeking to recalibrate its message and policies to better resonate with working-class Americans.
The Laken Riley Act, a bipartisan immigration reform bill that passed the House this week, is one such effort. The legislation, which expands the grounds for deporting illegal immigrants convicted of nonviolent crimes, received support from 48 House Democrats—an increase of 11 votes compared to the last Congress.
Ohio Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman called immigration reform and lowering costs his top priorities, urging his colleagues to seize opportunities for bipartisan cooperation. In the Senate, Democrats like Gary Peters of Michigan and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania are expected to back the Laken Riley Act, signaling a potential path forward for the bill.
Fetterman, known for his blunt style, has urged Democrats to avoid knee-jerk reactions to Trump’s proposals, including his idea of acquiring Greenland, which Fetterman described as a “responsible conversation.”
While some Democrats remain wary of working with Trump, the emerging bipartisan tone suggests that parts of the party are shifting toward pragmatism, recognizing that voters demand results over rhetoric. Whether this cooperation will yield meaningful legislative progress remains to be seen, but it marks a significant departure from the resistance-dominated strategy of Trump’s first term.
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