Democrats’ split screen in Trump’s new term: From the Politics Desk

Welcome to the online edition of From the Politics Desk, our evening newsletter that brings you the latest reporting and analysis from the NBC News political team from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.

In today’s edition, Sahil Kapur looks at how today’s voting results on two hot issues indicate how Democrats are dealing with a second Trump presidency. Come to think of it, the new administration is once again extremely busy. Analyzing the top line on day 3. And Ben Camisar will consider what happens next to replace J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio in the Senate.

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— Adam Wallner

Democrats break with the left on immigration, but not on abortion.

Written by Sahil Kapur

Congressional Republican leaders introduced two bills this week on hot-button issues. Democrats have embraced one and rejected the other, providing a glimpse of how they will approach a second term as President Donald Trump.

One such law, the Laken-Riley Act, is about to become law, aimed at cracking down on illegal immigrants who have committed non-violent crimes. After the Senate passed it earlier this week with a vote of 12 Democrats, the House passed it Wednesday with the support of 46 Democrats. It is expected to be the first major bill President Trump signs into his new term.

Another Republican-led bill, which would have imposed penalties on health care providers who fail to provide care for children in the event of a failed abortion, died in the Senate on Wednesday after unanimous opposition from Democrats. The party-line vote was 52-47, falling short of the 60 votes needed to break the filibuster.

Democrats who supported Laken Riley, mostly in battleground states and districts, warned that the bill would strip immigrants of due process and give right-wing state prosecutors the power to shape federal enforcement. He rebelled against progressives and immigration advocates.

“It’s a blinding flash of common sense,” Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, said when asked what caused the Democratic Party’s change in policy on immigration.

But Democrats are refusing to make any concessions to Republicans on abortion legislation, a sign that the party is confident in its political position and ready to fight for it.

“Today’s vote on Senate Republicans’ so-called ‘Born Alive’ bill makes one thing clear: Under President Trump, there will be a golden age, but it will be an extreme anti-choice movement. ” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.). Y said on Wednesday.

The reason for the split screen will be revealed in the results of the 2024 presidential election. NBC News exit polls show voters trust Trump on immigration, but they trust Kamala Harris on abortion. The two issues ranked similarly high for voters, with 89% to 9% voting for Trump as their top priority, and 76% to 24% choosing abortion as their top priority. voted for Harris.

What you need to know from Day 3 of Trump’s presidency

The lawmakers who sent the Laken-Reilly Act to President Donald Trump’s desk coincided with implementation of several key elements of his immigration policy. The following are the main statements made by the new president on his third day in office.

A new Justice Department memo instructs the agency to investigate, with possible prosecution, any state or local official who resists enforcement of federal immigration law. The Pentagon is sending about 1,500 additional personnel to the southern border. The State Department has suspended its refugee program and ceased all operations. Refugee flights to the United States under the direction of President Trump’s executive order. Supporters say the measure will put tens of thousands of Afghan refugees at risk. President Trump also signed further executive orders aimed at closing the U.S. southern border to migrants and increasing deportations, but as of Wednesday afternoon, no large-scale deportation measures had yet materialized. The Trump administration ordered all federal employees in diversity, equity and inclusion roles to take paid leave by Wednesday night. The CIA has executed an executive order signed by President Trump revoking the security clearances of approximately 50 former intelligence and government officials who signed a letter regarding Russia’s possible role in the growing allegations against Hunter Biden. President Trump pardoned the D.C. police officer who was convicted in the case. Elon Musk curtails President Trump’s Stargate AI investment, says OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank don’t have enough money to run high-profile projects, says Trump in November election He met with three House Republicans who represent districts won by Kamala Harris: Don Bacon of Nebraska, Mike Lawler of New York, and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania. Trump slammed the bishop who spoke at prayer. Worship service at Washington National Cathedral.

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Why Rubio and Vance’s Senate successors won’t necessarily be on track heading into 2026

Written by Ben Kamisar

The Senate swore in the newly appointed members Tuesday night, with Republicans Jon Husted (Ohio) and Ashley Moody (Florida) joining J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio, respectively. He was sworn in as his successor, vowing to restore the Republican majority to full strength and draw several key battle lines heading into 2026.

The vast majority of appointed senators who have decided to run for a full term this century have been successful, including Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.). His name still serves as a member of the Senate.

However, since 2000, four appointed senators lost the next election. Former senators are Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), former Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), Rep. Luther Strange (Alabama), and former Sen. Gene Carnahan (Missouri). . For Mr. Strange, the appointment ultimately backfired politically, making him uncomfortable in the eyes of Republican voters who favor more hardline conservatives. Despite supporting Strange, Trump lost the Republican primary.

Ms. Loeffler and Ms. McSally also realized that their incumbent positions were not strong enough to defuse tensions within the party. The former had to fend off Republican challengers, and the latter continued to come under pressure regarding conservative bona fides and his own appointments. Both lost in tough general elections.

And the circumstances of Mr. Carnahan’s appointment were unique. Even though her husband died less than a month before Election Day, she won the 2000 Senate race, leading to her appointment and her first foray into public office. . She narrowly lost in 2002, a difficult year for the party. (Senator John Walsh, D-Montana, initially sought a full term after taking office in 2014, but resigned amid a plagiarism scandal.)

Overall, the track record of appointed senators who decide to face their constituents is far more mixed. Of the 132 people who decided to run, 71 won and 61 lost.

In Florida, Rep. Corey Mills has already called out a possible primary against Moody, making it clear whether she will be loyal to Gov. Ron DeSantis (who appointed her) or Donald Trump. I have doubts. And while Ohio’s energy is focused on the open gubernatorial race, it’s possible that one of the state’s leading Republicans, including some who have previously run in the Senate primary, might decide to jump in. be.

The big question remains for these newly minted senators: Will their appointments solidify the party around them, or will there be room for potential opponents to take advantage?

That’s all from the political desk for now. Today’s newsletter was edited by Adam Wolner and Ben Kamisar.

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