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Just dropped · Trial Balloon · Ep. 189

Navigating the Nonsense

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Trial Balloon · Ep. 189: Navigating the Nonsense

Decision Time for Democrats Ahead of Shutdown

January 28, 2026 · 7:38 am ET · Leave a Comment

Wall Street Journal: “Democrats, who have oscillated in recent months between being unified and splintered, have a huge decision to make.”

“Do they cut a deal with Republicans to avoid a shutdown and win some changes (perhaps verbal commitments) on immigration policy?”

“Or do they dig in and demand structural reforms baked into a new law? Some Democrats are already moving to try to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, but they have also suggested they will want much more change than that.”

“Trump can be unpredictable at such junctures, and Democrats might turn on each other as they debate how to play their cards. It will be a big moment for the party, and for Trump, as the stakes get much higher.”

Democrats

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.

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