House Democrats Attempt to Regroup After Disarray at Joint Session
Leaders are seeking a reset while attempting to bridge significant divides regarding the party's messaging and strategy.
TroibNews 
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and members of House Democratic leadership aimed for a “solemn” response to President Donald Trump’s address to Congress, but they were met instead with chants, sign-waving, walkouts, and the unprecedented ejection of a member from a joint session.
Now, Jeffries and his colleagues have another opportunity to align their members.
House Democrats are preparing for their annual policy retreat on Wednesday, seeking a reset as they confront significant divisions over party messaging and strategy. With the 2026 midterms on the horizon, where they need to flip only a handful of seats to regain the majority, unity is crucial.
The challenge at their suburban Washington resort is clear: How do they harness the anti-Trump sentiment within the Democratic base and among their members while developing methods, messages, and tactics designed to appeal to the swing voters essential for victory?
The previous week’s outbursts underscored the situation for many members, who expressed frustration over how some colleagues responded to the address and the leaders’ guidance.
“I think it showed a party that wasn't unified. I think we had clear direction from our leadership on how to conduct ourselves,” said Rep. Ami Bera. “So I would hope that we talk about that this week.”
It’s evident where Jeffries stands in the party faction tug-of-war. The Brooklyn representative has consistently advocated for carefully calibrated responses to Trump and Republican leaders. Many speakers during the retreat will include politicians and strategists who lean toward the center.
They will hear insights from three Democratic governors from states that supported Trump in 2024—Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania—who will engage in a discussion with Jeffries on Thursday night. Notable figures such as James Carville, known for his work with Bill Clinton, and Dan Pfeiffer, who served as communications director for Barack Obama, will provide advice on refining the party's messaging.
Nonetheless, the party faces immense pressure from its most loyal constituents to present a steadfast opposition to Trump and his sweeping changes to the federal government. Some members advocating for a more assertive stance are looking to Jeffries not only for a refined strategy but also for elevating caucus leaders who resonate more with the party base.
“It's kind of like a football team, and Hakeem is our quarterback, but Hakeem can't throw the ball and go catch the ball and run the ball down the field and protect the line,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a prominent figure among the caucus’s young, liberal members. “He can’t do it all.”
Early signs of resistance emerged when House Democratic leaders rallied votes and largely opposed a Republican-led government funding bill on Tuesday afternoon.
“The strong House Democratic vote in opposition to this reckless Republican spending bill speaks for itself,” Jeffries remarked following the vote, where only Rep. Jared Golden of Maine broke ranks to support it.
Liberals, many of whom disregarded a leadership directive not to bring props to the address and held signs critical of Trump’s speech, will have a voice during the retreat.
Rep. Greg Casar, who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, will introduce a panel on “Understanding the Evolving Democratic Coalition” and emphasized that the retreat should focus on reconnecting with the working class rather than on party ideological divisions.
“No matter where you fall ideologically in the Democratic family, I think there is an acknowledgment that we've been losing working class voters and that we must regain them through message and substance,” Casar stated.
However, some Democrats contend that certain protest methods can divert attention from critical issues needed to reach the working class.
“A lot of time spent talking about the [address] is time that is off message,” said Rep. Jim Himes. “Let's talk about protests, but for God's sake, let's talk about the economy and kitchen table issues.”
Other members expressed optimism that their time at Lansdowne, located along the Potomac River about 25 miles from Washington, would foster unity. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver noted that he has attended the party retreat every year during his two decades in office and “it has created a sense of unity, even [if] before our arrival, we had some disagreements internally."
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
Now, Jeffries and his colleagues have another opportunity to align their members.
House Democrats are preparing for their annual policy retreat on Wednesday, seeking a reset as they confront significant divisions over party messaging and strategy. With the 2026 midterms on the horizon, where they need to flip only a handful of seats to regain the majority, unity is crucial.
The challenge at their suburban Washington resort is clear: How do they harness the anti-Trump sentiment within the Democratic base and among their members while developing methods, messages, and tactics designed to appeal to the swing voters essential for victory?
The previous week’s outbursts underscored the situation for many members, who expressed frustration over how some colleagues responded to the address and the leaders’ guidance.
“I think it showed a party that wasn't unified. I think we had clear direction from our leadership on how to conduct ourselves,” said Rep. Ami Bera. “So I would hope that we talk about that this week.”
It’s evident where Jeffries stands in the party faction tug-of-war. The Brooklyn representative has consistently advocated for carefully calibrated responses to Trump and Republican leaders. Many speakers during the retreat will include politicians and strategists who lean toward the center.
They will hear insights from three Democratic governors from states that supported Trump in 2024—Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania—who will engage in a discussion with Jeffries on Thursday night. Notable figures such as James Carville, known for his work with Bill Clinton, and Dan Pfeiffer, who served as communications director for Barack Obama, will provide advice on refining the party's messaging.
Nonetheless, the party faces immense pressure from its most loyal constituents to present a steadfast opposition to Trump and his sweeping changes to the federal government. Some members advocating for a more assertive stance are looking to Jeffries not only for a refined strategy but also for elevating caucus leaders who resonate more with the party base.
“It's kind of like a football team, and Hakeem is our quarterback, but Hakeem can't throw the ball and go catch the ball and run the ball down the field and protect the line,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a prominent figure among the caucus’s young, liberal members. “He can’t do it all.”
Early signs of resistance emerged when House Democratic leaders rallied votes and largely opposed a Republican-led government funding bill on Tuesday afternoon.
“The strong House Democratic vote in opposition to this reckless Republican spending bill speaks for itself,” Jeffries remarked following the vote, where only Rep. Jared Golden of Maine broke ranks to support it.
Liberals, many of whom disregarded a leadership directive not to bring props to the address and held signs critical of Trump’s speech, will have a voice during the retreat.
Rep. Greg Casar, who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, will introduce a panel on “Understanding the Evolving Democratic Coalition” and emphasized that the retreat should focus on reconnecting with the working class rather than on party ideological divisions.
“No matter where you fall ideologically in the Democratic family, I think there is an acknowledgment that we've been losing working class voters and that we must regain them through message and substance,” Casar stated.
However, some Democrats contend that certain protest methods can divert attention from critical issues needed to reach the working class.
“A lot of time spent talking about the [address] is time that is off message,” said Rep. Jim Himes. “Let's talk about protests, but for God's sake, let's talk about the economy and kitchen table issues.”
Other members expressed optimism that their time at Lansdowne, located along the Potomac River about 25 miles from Washington, would foster unity. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver noted that he has attended the party retreat every year during his two decades in office and “it has created a sense of unity, even [if] before our arrival, we had some disagreements internally."
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
