By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir*
NEW YORK | 27 December 2025 (IDN) — The Democrats can potentially wrest control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections only if they listen very carefully to what the American people are yearning for. The public cares less about left, right, or centrist slogans; they want a government that provides the means and opportunities to meet their basic needs and live with dignity.
Not since the end of the Civil War in 1865—when the Republican and Democratic parties solidified their status and entrenched the two-party political system—has the country faced a president bent on dismantling democracy and shattering all norms of conduct and responsibility vested in the executive branch. The Democrats have one chance to at least impede, if not stop, Donald Trump’s disastrous policies by taking control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections.
To put it bluntly, the outcome of this election will be fateful for America. It will either rescue the country from a madman determined to obliterate the ideals and values America has long stood for, or allow him to pursue his authoritarian design unchecked—ultimately unraveling the very fabric of democracy and reshaping the nation beyond recognition.
For Democrats to succeed, however, they must resist the temptation to address every long-term issue—climate change, infrastructure modernization, public transit, education reform, and long-term healthcare sustainability, among them —however critical.
Instead, they must focus on issues with an immediate and direct impact on the welfare and well-being of the majority of Americans—many of whom are deeply disillusioned with the state of affairs and who will determine the election’s outcome.
Bread-and-Butter Issues
Every Democrat running for office must pin their ears to the ground and listen closely to what the public wants and needs. Candidates must crisscross their states and demonstrate genuine concern. This is not the time to promote a Democratic ideology wedded to leftist or even center-left dogma, however relevant such policies may be.
They will hear repeatedly about the rising cost of living, the escalating price of healthcare, the shortage of affordable housing, and joblessness—especially among Hispanics and African Americans. Instead of merely criticizing Trump, Democrats must highlight the stark contrast between their own socio-economic agenda and the abysmal performance of the current administration.
They must arrive in these communities with credible answers and realistic solutions—along with ironclad commitments to deliver tangible results—ensuring that every potential voter feels heard and believes the Democrats can and will respond.
Social Justice and Equality
Minorities—particularly African Americans and Hispanics—face injustice at nearly every turn. Disillusionment with the Biden administration contributed to roughly 48 percent of Hispanic voters and 15 percent of African American voters supporting Trump in the last election, a shift that played a decisive role in his victory.
Trump’s failure to deliver on his economic promises, persistent inequality in the job market, low wages, inflation, and intensified scrutiny based on skin color—exacerbated by his overt racial rhetoric—have driven many to a point of desperation.
These communities are once again seeking change. Democrats must not only embrace them rhetorically but engage them meaningfully in the political process. This includes actively supporting qualified Black and Hispanic candidates at both the state and federal levels and treating these voters as indispensable partners in shaping the party’s future.
Voting Rights Integrity
It is no secret that Trump will resort to any means—legal, illegal, devious, or coercive—to maintain Republican control of Congress. He knows that losing either chamber would severely constrain, if not paralyze, his efforts to consolidate power and advance his authoritarian agenda.
From gerrymandering electoral maps in Republican-controlled states to intimidating GOP officials into submission, he will not relent. More troubling still is his demonstrated willingness to encourage supporters—January 6 being the clearest example—to intimidate voters in Democratic strongholds under the guise of protecting election integrity.
Even worse, his administration could exploit or manufacture disturbances at polling stations to justify seizing voting machines or nullifying vote counts in Democratic districts. The deployment of ICE to Democratic-controlled cities should be seen as nothing more than a rehearsal for what may come.
The Democratic Party must prepare for every conceivable contingency to ensure free and fair elections. Tens of thousands of volunteers must be mobilized, trained, and equipped with clear response plans. Nothing can be taken for granted. Trump will not stop on his own—he must be stopped.
Crucially, the Democratic National Committee must intensify efforts to court young African Americans and Hispanics—not only to vote but also to serve as canvassers in their communities on election day. These efforts, though familiar, cannot be overstated.
Safeguarding the Institutions
Nothing is more vital to protecting democracy than safeguarding the independence and integrity of its institutions. At the forefront stands the judiciary—especially the Supreme Court—which upholds constitutional principles and the rule of law. Equally vital is the Fourth Estate: a free and independent press that holds power accountable.
Universities—private institutions such as Harvard and public institutions such as the University of Virginia—serve as centers of critical inquiry. Think tanks, including the Brookings Institution and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, shape policy debates, while civil society organizations, such as the ACLU and NAACP, defend civil rights and liberties. These institutions form the very heartbeat of democracy.
Trump understands their power. This is why he has threatened to cut federal funding to universities and why institutions such as Columbia, Cornell, and Northwestern have already capitulated, adjusting policies to appease the administration. Similarly, CBS’s parent company, Paramount, agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by Trump over a *60 Minutes* interview.
Such capitulation sets a dangerous precedent. It does not merely erode democracy—it hastens its demise.
Democrats cannot confine themselves to condemning Trump’s bullying tactics. They must be prepared to defend these institutions through legal challenges in federal courts—which have thus far shown admirable resilience—and by mobilizing Democratic donors to offset any loss of federal funding incurred by standing up to unlawful demands.
While there are signs that Trump’s grip on the Republican Party is weakening, defiance alone will not be enough to secure control of Congress.
America faces a crisis of unprecedented magnitude. The question is whether the Democrats will rise to the greatest challenge they have ever confronted. Failure would not merely marginalize the Democratic Party—it would signal the collapse of American democracy itself.
*Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a retired professor of international relations, most recently at the Center for Global Affairs at NYU. He taught courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies. (IDN-InDepthNews)