WP: The Democrats propose to form a Shadow cabinet

Photo: The Washington Post

The venerable British institution of the opposition would serve America well today, writes Wiley Nickel, a Democrat, represents North Carolina’s 13th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, at ‘The Washington Post’.

Last week stung. As Democrats, we simply failed to convince the American people we have better ideas to solve their problems. Now, we need to dust ourselves off and get ready to fight.

Here’s an idea for how to organize our opposition: We need to borrow from our British friends and appoint a shadow cabinet to fight back against the worst excesses of a second Trump administration.

The special relationship between the United States and Britain extends not just to our strength on the world stage but also to our shared belief in democracy. Across the Atlantic, the British have something we don’t: a team from the opposition that mirrors the government’s cabinet members. They watch the cabinet closely, publicly challenging, scrutinizing and offering new ideas. It’s another form of checks and balances — a quiet guardrail that keeps power accountable.

With a shadow cabinet, there is no hiding. Each decision by the government faces a ready counterpoint — not just from the media and voters but also from political leaders poised to (theoretically) step in. Shadow cabinet members can also become the clear point people for advocacy and grassroots organizers, making it easier to unify and amplify ideas and solutions out of favor among those in power.

So, what would a shadow cabinet look like here in the United States? We have an amazing wealth of talent on the Democratic side of the aisle in Congress — people loyal to the Constitution and ready to serve in opposition. Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries (New York) in the House and Charles E. Schumer (New York) in the Senate could appoint 26 members of Congress to go one-on-one with each member of Trump’s Cabinet.

New times require new solutions.

This shadow cabinet isn’t just about opposing extreme MAGA attacks on our government. It’s also about making clear what we stand for, which is something we didn’t do enough this election cycle.

It’s time to show — not just say — what we’re for: justice, accountability and democracy.

“Shadow cabinet, amplify ideas, ready to fight…” – what next?

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