(DCNF)—Some Democrats are openly questioning whether their party has learned anything from their political losses last November as lawmakers mobilize to defend foreign aid and federal bureaucrats from DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts.
As President Donald Trump and DOGE chair Elon Musk take a wrecking ball to the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID), most Democratic lawmakers have excoriated the president for seeking to hold an agency — whose funding is rife with waste and abuse — accountable. But some Democratic strategists urge caution and have told their colleagues to think twice about whether defending foreign aid and USAID employees is the right hill to die on for a party that is struggling with working class voters and those in middle America.
“My heart is with the people out on the street outside USAID, but my head tells me: ‘Man, Trump will be well satisfied to have this fight,’” longtime Democratic strategist David Axelrod, who ran former President Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns, told POLITICO’s Rachael Bade in an interview published Tuesday. “When you talk about cuts, the first thing people say is: Cut foreign aid.”
🚨BREAKING: Pro-USAID Protest Erupts Outside of US Capitol pic.twitter.com/IKcoIsxJgR
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) February 5, 2025
The Trump White House and Republican lawmakers appear to welcome the idea of Democrats mobilizing to defend a government agency rife with questionable spending decisions. USAID has funded gain of function research and been doled out to spur left-wing activism. USAID funding has even ended up in the hands of terrorist groups, according to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s extensive reporting on the agency’s spending history.
Why is Cory Booker so angry at the idea of making sure American tax dollars are spent to further the national interest of the United States and not on things like "LGBT activism" in Guatemala? pic.twitter.com/e3DPgs3a30
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 5, 2025
Axelrod and other Democratic strategists’ also appear to recognize that foreign aid and government bureaucracy are two issues that do not poll well with most voters.
“The other half of my brain that reads a bunch of polling … and knows that Americans don’t want to send money overseas for foreign aid programs or any little incident of waste or fraud or abuse is going to be lifted up and amplified [by Republicans] … figuring out how to fight this politically is hard,” a host from the popular Democratic Party-aligned podcast Pod Save America said Tuesday.
Nearly three-fourths of respondents to a January New York Times poll surveying more than 2,000 Americans said the statement “the government is mostly working to benefit itself and the elites” aligned closer to their views than a statement approving of federal bureaucrats’ work. Similarly, 60% of respondents told the Times that a statement suggesting the United States “should pay less attention to problems overseas and concentrate on problems here at home” was more reflective of their beliefs than a viewpoint advocating for the United States to have a more active role in the world.
Just three percent of participants told the pollster that “foreign policy” was an important issue to them out of more than 20 possible options listed.
Voters appear to be more closely aligned with the Trump administration when it comes to ensuring taxpayer dollars align with American interests and reducing the size of the federal government. Some Democratic lawmakers, nevertheless, are threatening to block all legislative business and potentially shut down the government to defend the federal bureaucracy.
“We need to act like a real opposition party in the middle of a constitutional and democracy crisis,” Democratic Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy said on MSNBC Wednesday. “That means we should not be moving forward nominees or legislation in the United States Senate. Democrats should not be giving votes to nominees or legislation in the United States Senate until Republicans get serious about this crisis.”
“Democrats should be leading public gatherings all weekend all across the country to bring Americans out to show Republicans that they will pay a price.”
Some Democratic strategists are seeing the potential pitfalls in Murphy’s approach, which advocates for lawmakers to resist every action the Trump administration pursues.
“You don’t fight every fight. You don’t swing at every pitch,” former Chicago mayor and former U.S. ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel told Bade. “And my view is — while I care about the USAID as a former ambassador — that’s not the hill I’m going to die on.”
Other Democratic lawmakers, such as Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, are consistently voting for Trump’s cabinet nominees and have supported Trump-backed legislation.
While Democratic lawmakers waver on how to respond to DOGE’s cost-cutting mission, Republican lawmakers appear to be enjoying their colleagues’ state of disarray.
“The Democratic Party truly is seemingly lost,” Speaker Mike Johnson said during a House GOP leadership press conference Wednesday. “They have no rudder. They have no vision. They have no clear leader. The only message they have is anti-President Trump. And we’ve also seen that that’s a failed strategy time after time.”
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].
Three Reasons a Coffee Gift Set From This Christian Company Is Perfect for Christmas
When you’re searching for a Christmas gift that’s meaningful, useful, and rooted in faith, you don’t want to settle for anything generic. This season is filled with noise — mass-produced products, last-minute picks, and trends that fade as quickly as they appear. But one gift stands apart because it blends genuine quality with a message that matters: a coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee.
This small Christian-owned company has become a favorite among believers who want to support faith-driven businesses while giving friends and family something they’ll actually enjoy. Here are three reasons a Promised Grounds Coffee gift set may be the most thoughtful and impactful present you give this year.
1. It’s Truly Delicious Coffee
Too many “gift-worthy” coffees look beautiful in the package but disappoint when the cup is poured. Promised Grounds takes the opposite approach — exceptional taste first, thoughtful presentation second.
Their beans are sourced with care, roasted in small batches, and crafted to bring out a rich, smooth flavor profile that appeals to both casual drinkers and true coffee lovers. Whether someone enjoys bold, dark roasts or lighter, more delicate blends, every sip reflects quality that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest specialty brands.
Simply put: this coffee is good. Really good. Some say it’s absolutely fantastic. If you want a gift that won’t be re-gifted, ignored, or shoved in a cabinet, this is it.
2. It Spreads the Word While Serving a Real Purpose
There are many Christian gifts that are meaningful… but not exactly practical. There are also useful gifts that have nothing to do with faith. Promised Grounds Coffee bridges both worlds beautifully.
Each gift set delivers an encouraging, faith-centered message through its packaging and presentation — a simple but powerful reminder of God’s goodness during the Christmas season. The cups are especially popular and serve as a daily reminder of the blessings from our Lord. At the same time, the product itself is something people will actually use and appreciate every single day.
It’s a gift that uplifts the spirit and fills the mug. A gift that points loved ones toward Scripture while still being part of the normal rhythm of life. And in a culture that increasingly pushes faith to the margins, giving a gift that quietly but confidently honors Christ can make a deeper impact than you might expect.
3. It’s Affordable, Valuable, and Elegantly Presented
Many people want to give something meaningful without breaking their Christmas budget. Promised Grounds Coffee strikes that perfect balance — the sets look and feel premium, but the price remains accessible.
The packaging is classy, clean, and gift-ready, making it ideal for:
- Family members of all ages
- Co-workers or employees
- Church friends or small-group leaders
- Hosts, neighbors, and last-minute gift needs
It’s the kind of gift that feels more expensive than it is — and more thoughtful than most of what you’ll find on store shelves.
The Perfect Blend of Faith, Flavor, and Christmas Cheer
A coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee checks every box: a gift that tastes amazing, conveys your faith, supports a Christian business, and brings daily enjoyment to the person who receives it. In a season when so many gifts are forgotten, this one stands out for all the right reasons.
If you want a Christmas present that reflects your values and delivers genuine joy, Promised Grounds Coffee is the perfect place to start.