A Democratic congressman called for his party to organize its opposition to a second Donald Trump presidency by borrowing a tradition from British politics.
In a Washington Post op-ed, Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-NC) urged his Democratic colleagues to appoint a shadow cabinet to challenge the former president's agenda, saying that British politicians set up a team from the opposition party to provide oversight of the ruling party's ministers.
"Across the Atlantic, the British have something we don’t: a team from the opposition that mirrors the government’s cabinet members," Nickel wrote. "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," he added.
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The North Carolina Democrat suggested that party leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer could appoint 26 members of Congress to match up against Trump's cabinet, and he explained what he had in mind.
"If Trump attempts to weaponize the justice system against his political opponents, we could see Sen. Adam Schiff (California), as our shadow attorney general, arguing against replacing our independent prosecutors with Trump loyalists," Nickel wrote. "If Trump seeks to eliminate the Education Department, Rep. Jahana Hayes (Connecticut), a former teacher of the year, could step up as shadow education secretary to loudly defend it."
Nickel also suggested Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) as shadow secretary of state, Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), as shadow treasury secretary and Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) as shadow defense secretary, among others.
"This shadow cabinet isn’t just about opposing extreme MAGA attacks on our government," Nickel wrote. "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."