Democratic members of Congress are facing an alarming surge of pressure from within their own ranks to escalate opposition to President Donald Trump—pressure that, according to several lawmakers, includes disturbing suggestions that they put themselves at physical risk.
Multiple Democratic representatives, speaking on condition of anonymity, have revealed that parts of the party base are no longer content with political resistance alone.
Instead, some constituents are openly calling for actions that could result in bloodshed or bodily harm to elected officials.
“One of the more shocking things I’ve heard from constituents is that our efforts aren’t enough,” an anonymous Democrat recently told Axios. “They want something drastic—something that grabs headlines—even if it means bloodshed.”
Another lawmaker confirmed hearing voters say members “need to be willing to get shot” to truly get the nation’s attention and influence public opinion.
This rhetoric emerges amid historic lows for the Democratic Party in national polls.
A recent CNN survey recorded the party’s favorability rating at a mere 29 percent, the lowest since CNN began tracking political party approval in 1992, as Resist the Mainstream previously highlighted.
NBC News polling shows similarly grim numbers, with only 27 percent of Americans holding a positive view of the party—figures that reflect widespread disillusionment.
The internal dynamics of the party reflect these challenges.
CNN polling shows that only 63 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents currently view their party favorably, a sharp decline from 81 percent at the beginning of former President Joe Biden’s term.
This erosion of confidence raises concerns about the party’s ability to maintain unity and discipline amid growing dissatisfaction.
Some Democratic leaders have spoken out against calls for violent or extreme action.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), one of the few willing to discuss the matter publicly, emphasized the importance of respecting the Constitution and rule of law as the most effective way to counter the Trump administration’s policies.
Khanna warned that any legal consequences from radical actions could disproportionately impact minority and LGBT members of Congress, who make up a large segment of the party’s leadership.
Despite these cautions, many Democrats acknowledge the difficulty in managing an increasingly impatient and radicalized voter base.
Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) admitted that persuading voters to hold back from calls for more aggressive moves—including renewed impeachment efforts—has been challenging.
“No matter what we say, they want [more],” Schneider said.
Frustrations with party leadership have also intensified.
Following a recent vote where ten Senate Democrats broke ranks to join Republicans in passing a bipartisan spending bill aimed at averting a government shutdown, demands for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) resignation have grown louder.
This rebellion underscores the growing disconnect between party leaders and their more militant base, according to the Daily Mail.
The party remains deeply divided over its future direction.
A majority of Democrats—52 percent—say their leadership is steering the party in the wrong direction.
Additionally, 57 percent of Democratic voters want their leaders to increase resistance to Republican initiatives, while only 42 percent favor bipartisan cooperation.
This division points to ongoing strategic battles within the party as it prepares for the 2026 midterm elections.
Several lawmakers have characterized the escalating demands from constituents as not only unrealistic but dangerous.
One anonymous Democrat described the situation bluntly: “The expectations coming from our base aren’t just unrealistic—they’re downright dangerous.”
Democrats are managing a complex political landscape that involves responding to varied priorities within their party while working to maintain support across a wider electorate.
How the party addresses these internal dynamics may influence its performance in upcoming elections and future political developments.
