Slotkin Portrays Democrats as Champions of Democracy in Response to Trump
The newly elected senator, on the other hand, characterized the president’s approach to change as irresponsible.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) depicted congressional Democrats as champions of democracy while delivering her party’s response to President Donald Trump’s initial congressional address in his second term.
While Trump’s speech on March 4 celebrated his extensive policy initiatives as the dawn of a new golden age for America, Slotkin highlighted a narrative of democracy facing threats.
“Our democracy, our very system of government, has served as a model for the world, and right now, it is under threat,” Slotkin remarked shortly after the president concluded his speech.
This freshman senator, who previously represented Michigan in the U.S. House for three terms, narrowly won the open Senate seat against former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) last November, a significant feat considering the swing state’s support for Trump.
This swing was not a one-time occurrence. The president achieved victory in all seven swing states and won the popular vote.
Referring to that trend, Slotkin noted that voters “clearly indicated that costs are too high and that the government must be more responsive to their priorities.” She emphasized that “there’s a careful method to enact change and a reckless one,” implying that the president’s changes illustrated the latter.
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Slotkin highlighted the Trump administration’s initiatives to eliminate government waste and fraud through the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, spearheaded by Elon Musk.
Expressing concern over Musk’s team’s access to sensitive health and financial data, the senator questioned whether it was acceptable for any American.
“We need a more efficient government. If you aim to reduce waste, I’m on board. But change should not be chaotic or compromise our safety,” she remarked.
The dramatic layoffs in the executive branch initiated by DOGE have also drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Many, including Slotkin, brought dismissed federal employees as guests to the presidential address.
According to her, Trump “views American leadership as nothing more than a series of real estate deals.”
Drawing from her experience as a former CIA analyst, Slotkin shared her understanding of life under “rigged” regimes and the experience of witnessing democratic nations “fade away.” She implored viewers at home to actively participate in safeguarding the United States from a similar fate.
“We have faced periods of political instability before, and each time, we’ve chosen to continuously strive for improvement,” Slotkin stated. “However, we’ve only overcome those challenges through two key elements: engaged citizens and principled leaders,”
White House Dismisses Democrats’ Response, Criticizes Conduct
The Trump administration reacted promptly, downplaying Slotkin’s remarks. A White House spokesperson referred to her as “one more disconnected politician intent on eroding American manufacturing and allowing crime to permeate our communities.”
In a statement issued earlier in the day, the White House highlighted Slotkin’s vote against condemning the previous administration’s restrictions on tailpipe emissions last September. Trump revoked that regulation—criticized by Republicans as a de facto electric vehicle mandate—on his first day in office.
The administration also mentioned that Slotkin voted twice to annul Trump’s emergency declaration for the southern border and opposed the Republicans’ Secure the Border Act of 2023, as well as a 2024 resolution denouncing the previous administration’s management of the border crisis.
“Slotkin has consistently voted in favor of open borders. President Trump has acted swiftly to secure our borders, resulting in attempted crossings in February being the lowest ever recorded,” the White House asserted.
The White House condemned their behavior in a statement.
“Tonight, President Donald J. Trump delivered bold, visionary remarks before a joint session of Congress—highlighting the remarkable accomplishments already realized in his second term and laying the groundwork for four years of prosperity and strength,” the administration stated.
“Regrettably, Congressional Democrats were too engulfed in their animosity towards President Trump, neglecting to show support for initiatives like lowering taxes, combating childhood cancer, capturing terrorists, or protecting women and girls in sports.”
During his speech, Trump informed a 13-year-old boy battling brain cancer—who aspires to become a police officer—that he would be honored to become a U.S. Secret Service agent. The Democrats remained seated during this announcement.
