Slotkin Outlines Democratic Strategy to Counter Trump’s Policies
Elissa Slotkin brings strategic insight to the table. The Michigan senator’s resume includes roles with George W. Bush’s National Security Council, as well as the State Department and Department of Defense under Barack Obama, before she was first elected to Congress in 2018. Last year, her Senate win stood out as a rare success for Democrats. Slotkin is now using her strategic skills to explore how Democrats can effectively challenge Donald Trump.
This interview has been edited and shortened for clarity.
Does the Democratic Party have a strategy to counter Trump, and if so, what is it?
It’s clear that Democrats have been reacting defensively since Trump’s election. Coming from a national security background, I always look for a robust, comprehensive strategy, especially when dealing with Trump. We can’t just react to his every move.
What strategy do you recommend?
I believe most Americans who voted for Trump did so for economic reasons. They wanted more money in their pockets. They didn’t vote for the chaos and instability he’s created. They didn’t vote for cuts to veterans or uncertainty about tariffs. In my state, the vote was largely about economic security. We need to emphasize that his policies will negatively impact people financially across the board.
I’ve had Trump voters tell me they voted for change, not tariff volatility. At the Flint engine plant, many parts for GM trucks are made in Canada. Tariffs could increase the cost of a part by 300% if applied on both sides of the border, which people here understand.
People might accept some spending cuts in theory, but they understand their household budgets, grocery costs, and the lack of a plan for mortgages or rent. They realize tariffs could cost them money and that their Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and VA benefits are potentially at risk of being cut. We need to aggressively counter the false claim that he’ll save people money, because he will cost them money and may even trigger a recession.
Some Democrats suggest that Chuck Schumer lacks the ability to effectively counter Trump and that the party needs new Senate leadership. What are your thoughts?
Schumer is our leader, and it’s a demanding position. There are intense debates within the Democratic Party, making his job far from easy.
Democrats generally need more thorough strategies. We need to be united and consistent in our messaging to be effective. I’ve communicated this to him and other senior party leaders. We all need to work together to develop a strategy that we can share internally and communicate to Democrats who expect us to rise to the occasion.
Do you think the party is currently meeting the moment?
Trump is effectively dominating the narrative. He keeps people constantly reacting, unsure of where to focus their attention. We generally focus on legislation, litigation, communication, and elections. However, I believe the current situation demands more.
As a Midwesterner who won in the same election as Trump, I will continue to emphasize the economic message because I believe our party has drifted away from a central focus on the economy and families, which I see as essential.
You’ve mentioned focusing on strategic and irreversible actions. Can you elaborate on what those might be?
Drawing from my national security background, I created a quad chart. One axis represents tactical (short-term) versus strategic (long-term) actions by Trump. The other axis represents reversible versus irreversible actions. Can a future president or Congress undo his decisions, or are they permanent? I chose to focus on issues that are both strategic and irreversible.
Many of these issues are constitutional, concerning our rights and democracy, but also the long-term economic stability of my state. We’ve experienced a severe recession here before. In 2008, 2009, and 2010, Michigan’s recession felt like a depression. I won’t remain silent while he threatens my state’s economy.
If you had the power to reshape the Democratic Party to win again in places like Michigan, what changes would you make?
We need to return to the basics. The middle class is crucial to American life, and we need to expand it. We should focus on the three key areas most Americans agree on: strong economic security, strong national security, and a strong democracy.
I come from a background of war planning and constant, careful preparation. You can’t win any operation or war by playing only defense. We owe the country a strategy that goes beyond just playing defense.