Democrats Face Internal Frustration Amid Disjointed Strategy and Declining Approval

California Senator Adam Schiff recently voiced deep concerns over the Democratic Party’s lack of unity and strategic coordination in the wake of President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Speaking in an interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, Schiff expressed disappointment in the party’s response — or lack thereof — to Trump’s latest State of the Union address.

“I think the absence of a coordinated response was a serious misstep,” Schiff said. “It shifted the focus away from the president’s failure to offer real solutions to the everyday economic struggles Americans are facing — from housing costs to health care and child care expenses.”

Schiff’s criticism comes as the Democratic Party struggles to find its footing following a series of political setbacks. The latest State of the Union, which ran over an hour and a half, did not address key issues such as rising living expenses — a point that Schiff believes Democrats should have capitalized on more effectively.

Adding to the internal discord, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has also weighed in with a blunt assessment of the party’s performance, describing the situation as “a sad cavalcade of self-owns and unhinged petulance.” Schiff acknowledged the criticism, pointing to a broader failure to maintain focus on the economic issues that resonate most with voters.

“They’re failing to address what Americans are really concerned about,” Schiff continued. “And instead of focusing on that, we’re getting bogged down in drama and distractions.”

These frustrations are being echoed throughout the Democratic base. A recent national survey by Quinnipiac University revealed that a majority of Democratic voters are dissatisfied with their party’s performance in Congress. According to the poll, 53% of Democrats disapprove of the job congressional Democrats are doing, compared to just 41% who approve. Among all voters, the disapproval rating for congressional Democrats sits at a stark 70%, with only 21% approving — tying the lowest rating recorded since the university began tracking the question in 2009.

Though Republican lawmakers are also facing criticism — with their own congressional approval rating dropping eight points since February — they still maintain stronger support within their base. The same Quinnipiac poll showed that 79% of Republican voters approve of how congressional Republicans are handling their roles, even as their overall national approval stands at 32%.

These numbers underscore the growing divide between party leadership and their voters. For Democrats, the discontent appears rooted in what many perceive as a failure to mount an effective opposition to Trump’s controversial policies and rhetoric. Since his re-election and inauguration for a second term earlier this year, President Trump has wasted no time pushing forward a bold and divisive agenda — one that has only galvanized Democratic voters and intensified demands for a more assertive response.

Political veteran and strategist James Carville has suggested that Democrats might be better off stepping back — or in his words, “playing dead” — to let Trump’s administration unravel under its own weight. But Schiff rejected that idea, insisting that inaction is not an option.

“We can’t just sit on the sidelines and hope people see the flaws on the other side,” he said. “We have to actively present solutions, communicate more effectively, and meet voters where they are. That includes using every tool available — litigation, outreach, and policy development.”

The Democratic Party’s recent struggles are not limited to Washington. November’s general elections saw Republicans recapture control of the White House and the Senate while maintaining a narrow edge in the House. Perhaps more concerning for Democrats, however, was the erosion of support among core constituencies — particularly younger voters, Black voters, and Hispanic voters, all of whom had been key pillars of the Democratic coalition in past cycles.

This shifting political landscape has raised alarms within Democratic circles. Many argue that unless the party reconnects with working-class and middle-income Americans — especially on economic issues like affordability, wages, and housing — it risks further losses in future elections.

Amid the chaos, pressure is mounting on Democratic leaders to realign the party’s message, sharpen its strategy, and present a unified front capable of challenging President Trump’s influence.

As Schiff put it, “This isn’t just about fighting back. It’s about showing the American people that we hear them, that we understand their challenges, and that we’re willing to lead with vision and courage. If we fail to do that, the consequences won’t just be political — they’ll be felt in every household struggling to make ends meet.