Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville has outlined a strategic approach for the incoming Democratic majorities in Congress, proposing a method to leverage President Donald Trump's veto power. Carville shared his strategy on his Politicon podcast on Thursday, focusing on how Democrats can navigate the next two years with President Trump still in office. The Democrats secured control of both chambers of Congress in last week’s midterm elections and are set to assume their new roles in January.
"What they want is to humiliate Trump. We want to watch him wither in anguish and misery and pain." James Carville, Veteran Democratic Strategist
Carville's proposal centers on the idea of crafting legislation designed to garner broad public support, which he anticipates President Trump would then veto. The core objective, according to Carville, is to force President Trump to reject bills that resonate with a significant majority of the American public, thereby creating political challenges for the Republican Party.
During his broadcast, Carville provided several examples of policies he believes would fit this strategic mold. He suggested that Democrats should introduce bills to "raise minimum wage, take a vote to defund the war in Iran." He further elaborated on potential legislative initiatives, stating, "Have tax increases for income over $500,000 a year, start opening rural hospitals." Carville emphasized that these proposals should be "75 percent popular with the public, it could go as low as 70, okay, and make them vote on it and make [him] veto it." This approach is intended to put President Trump in a position where he must either sign broadly popular legislation or face public criticism for rejecting it.
The strategist framed his plan as extending beyond mere policy debates, suggesting a deeper political motivation. Carville explicitly stated the perceived aim of this strategy: "What they want is to humiliate Trump. We want to watch him wither in anguish and misery and pain." This indicates that the proposed legislative battles are intended to serve a broader political purpose, potentially impacting President Trump's public image and political standing.
Carville also connected these anticipated legislative clashes to future electoral contests. He suggested that each bill vetoed by President Trump would become significant campaign material for Democrats as they look toward the 2028 presidential race. This long-term view underscores the strategic nature of Carville's recommendations, positioning the upcoming legislative period as foundational for future political campaigns.
Beyond immediate legislative and presidential politics, Carville's remarks extended to the judiciary. He discussed the potential for a Democratic presidential victory, combined with continued congressional control, to reshape the Supreme Court, which currently holds a conservative majority. Carville hinted at the possibility of expanding the number of justices on the court. He conveyed this sentiment by stating, "I got news for them, Nine ain’t fine." The Supreme Court currently comprises nine members.
President Donald Trump has previously signaled his readiness for legislative confrontations with Congress. Prior to the midterm elections, he adopted the nickname "Mr. Veto." Following the election, President Trump posted an image of a red baseball cap bearing the single word "VETO," further indicating his stance. These actions occurred before any Democratic-led legislation has reached his desk. The incoming Democratic majorities are scheduled to take their seats in Congress in January, at which point Carville's proposed strategy could begin to unfold. The strategist's recommendations offer insight into how some in the Democratic Party envision engaging with President Trump during the remainder of his term.
