Democrats Grapple with Double Bind: Reformers vs. Guardians of Institutions

Democrats seeking to redefine the party face a dilemma: Defending government institutions President Donald Trump has been trying to shrink while also appealing to voters who believe politics and democracy are broken, according to recent polling.

That tension is now shaping the Democrats’ midterm strategy as party leaders and would-be presidential contenders scramble to rebrand themselves as reformers — even as many have spent the last year rallying to protect federal bureaucracies from Trump-era cutbacks.

Prominent Democrats have openly acknowledged the party has come to be viewed as the “status quo” party. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland urged Democrats to show how they will “shake up the status quo.” Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan called for the party to “embrace change,” while Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut warned that Democrats have been labeled defenders of a system many Americans believe is failing them.

However, Democrats have long positioned themselves as guardians of America’s institutions against Trump and his movement, portraying themselves as a firewall for democracy, expertise, and an expansive federal government. Now, with Republicans controlling Washington, many Democrats want to sound like disruptors while simultaneously opposing Trump efforts to shrink agencies and reduce federal power.

Polling presented to congressional Democrats this spring suggested the problem is not just perception. A majority of voters described Democrats as focused on “preserving the way government works,” while only 20% said the same of Republicans.

That leaves Democrats with a political branding challenge: How do you run as an agent of change while defending the very institutions voters distrust?

Some Democrats are trying to thread that needle by promising “reform” rather than “revolution.” Representative Jason Crow of Colorado told the party they must be willing to end programs that are not working, reform agencies that underperform, and preserve those that do. Representative Ro Khanna of California argued Democrats need a “vision for change” that holds elites accountable while staying within constitutional bounds — a message aimed at voters tired of politics as usual.

The challenge, conservatives note, is credibility. Many of the Democrats now running as outsiders have long careers inside government. Even so, candidates such as Mayor Paige Cognetti of Scranton, Pennsylvania — running for a swing House seat — are adopting anti-corruption rhetoric, accusing Washington of taking advantage of working people.

A separate controversy is feeding perceptions of establishment politics. Reports indicate that Democratic anger has developed over DNC Chair Ken Martin’s decision to bury a comprehensive internal “autopsy” of the party’s 2024 election losses. Critics told others that shelving the report signals the party would rather manage the brand than confront hard truths, reinforcing the trust gap Democrats say they need to close.