Analysis: Amid Trump & Elon's War on Reality, Does Neal Have the Response Dems Need…?
Donald Trump has launched a trade war with Canada and Mexico. Elon Musk is doing his best to play aviation gremlin to the federal airship midflight. Both ongoing acts of economic and civic vandalism touch the jurisdiction of the Ways & Means Committee and therefore its ranking member Springfield Congressman Richard Neal.
Neal’s party does not control Congress, but Democrats have faced broad criticism for failing to meet the moment. Practically, there is little they can do that Republicans cannot override. Still, many Democrats pine for at least some fire from party leaders as the wires and sprockets fly out of the economy and financial system. Could that come from Neal, despite some history as a bête noire to many on his left?
“Every promise made by the President during the campaign about lowering costs, reducing inflation, and putting the working and middle-class first was a lie,” Neal said Saturday when Trump inexplicably imposed 25% tariffs on the nation’s neighbors. “These reckless tariffs take a sledgehammer where a scalpel is necessary, and the American people will pay the price.”