By Kevin Harris and Richard McDaniel
Donald Trump holds the record for both the longest and second-longest government shutdowns in American history. Republicans control the White House, Senate, and House—yet somehow, Democrats are at risk of losing the message war and letting voters believe both parties are equally to blame.
Republicans are already spinning the narrative, and if history teaches us anything, it’s that a confused public blames everyone equally—even when one party controls everything. Republicans are blaming Democratic “obstruction” and claiming Democrats won’t negotiate even as Democrats offer solutions. They’re deflecting from Trump’s shutdown record with distractions and misinformation. And now Trump is threatening to end the filibuster so that Republicans no longer need to negotiate and can then take credit for ending the same shutdown they started.
Democrats need to better communicate what we’ve been fighting for. The public needs to hear a clear, concise plan to end this shutdown. Not later. Now.
First, pass standalone legislation immediately. Fund SNAP and WIC benefits so families don’t go hungry. Pay the military, TSA, and air traffic controllers who keep us safe. These are non-negotiable priorities that protect the most vulnerable and honor public servants doing essential work without paychecks.
Second, extend healthcare subsidies. Millions of Americans face sharply rising healthcare costs because of Republican callousness in prioritizing tax cuts for the rich ahead of healthcare for the poor and working class.
Third, negotiate to reopen the government. But only after securing protections for vulnerable populations and essential workers. Democrats negotiate from strength when they’ve already protected people—not before.
This plan accomplishes three things simultaneously: it protects Americans from immediate harm, it forces Republicans to continue fighting against popular measures, and it gives Democrats a clear message that’s impossible to misunderstand.
And we should extend our efforts outside of Washington to show voters how Democrats are standing up for working families. Democratic Attorney Generals from Massachusetts, California, Arizona and Minnesota are leading the way with a lawsuit against the Trump Administration to stop the White House from ending benefits that Americans rely on.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin have committed millions of dollars to support working families impacted by the Republican shutdown. They’re not waiting for permission or consensus. They’re acting because familie need help now.
This is the kind of leadership Democrats should be highlighting everywhere. Scott, Woodfin and Democratic Attorney Generals are demonstrating what Democratic governance looks like while Republicans abandon their responsibilities. Democrats actually show up for working families, invest in communities, and refuse to let vulnerable people suffer while Republicans play games.
Democrats in Congress should be holding daily press conferences with their state and local counterparts like Mayors Scott and Woodfin, creating a clear contrast that shows Democratic leaders taking action while Trump Republicans let the government collapse. This isn’t complicated messaging. It’s showing voters exactly who fights for them and who doesn’t.
Government shutdowns create lasting political damage that extends far beyond the immediate crisis. They erode public trust in government broadly—which always hurts Democrats more than Republicans, since Democrats actually believe the government can help people.
If Democrats lose this message war, they won’t just lose the shutdown battle. They’ll reinforce the narrative that both parties are equally dysfunctional, that Washington never works, and that voters should throw everyone out. That’s exactly what Republicans want heading into 2026.
But if Democrats execute this plan—protect vulnerable Americans, continue to force Republicans to vote against popular measures, highlight local Democratic leaders taking action—they can turn this crisis into a defining moment that shows voters exactly which party fights for working families while strengthening their hand to deliver for working families hurt by the Trump-Republican shutdown.
Democrats have a terrible habit of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory by overcomplicating simple situations. This is one of those moments where clarity matters.
Every Democrat should be able to answer any shutdown question with the three-point plan. Every cable news appearance should hammer Trump’s shutdown record. Every social media post should highlight Democratic leaders taking action while Republicans play politics.
Republicans are betting Democrats will overthink this until the public blames everyone. Democrats need to prove them wrong by executing a clear messaging plan with relentless discipline.
The message is simple: This shutdown is Trump’s crisis. Democrats have the solution.
Kevin Harris (Howard University) and Richard McDaniel (Morehouse College) are veteran Democratic strategists with over 100 political campaigns between them. They co-host “Maroon Bison Presents: The Southern Comfort Podcast.”