As Democrats prepare to take control of Congress, they are laying out a five-part strategy to counter President Trump's foreign policy, which they argue has driven up prices, weakened American diplomacy, and bypassed congressional oversight. The plan focuses on reasserting legislative authority, investigating alleged abuses, and protecting the nonpartisan foreign service.
Investigations and oversight: A balancing act
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), expected to chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has already signaled that subpoenas could be issued to key figures, including tech billionaire Elon Musk. The focus is on Musk's decision to shut off Starlink and Starshield satellite communications in Ukraine in October, leaving the country vulnerable to Russian missile strikes. Democrats also want a full accounting of the humanitarian fallout from the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which they attribute to hundreds of thousands of deaths, with millions more projected by 2030.
However, some former staffers warn against turning oversight into political theater. Algene Sajery, former Democratic policy director for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, cautioned: "While oversight and investigations are necessary, I don't think that the American public wants to see people subpoenaed and called in for things that, obviously, are just for show. I think they want to see actual concrete results."
Funding limits to end the Iran war
Democrats are also planning to use spending bills to cut off funds for the war in Iran, a move they argue is the most effective way to end the conflict. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) drew a parallel to the Vietnam War, stating, "The Vietnam War ended when Congress finally pulled the plug on paying for it. We should not be providing any funds for this senseless, illegal war in Iran." Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), a contender for House Foreign Affairs chair, has pledged to introduce resolutions to terminate the war immediately, though such measures would likely face a presidential veto.
Protecting the diplomatic corps
Meeks and other Democrats are focused on shielding the State Department's professional staff from what they see as politicization and mass layoffs. The administration has increased the use of political appointees and reportedly imposed loyalty tests during senior interviews. Meeks criticized the influence of "two real estate dealers" — referring to Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff — in shaping U.S. foreign policy.
Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), likely to chair the House Appropriations subcommittee on State Foreign Operations, highlighted the administration's disregard for congressional directives, citing the destruction of taxpayer-funded contraception that contradicted Trump's policies. She recounted a private exchange with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said, "We're not in the business of family planning." Frankel responded, "Really? Are you kidding me? There's an example of not even doing what we've asked them to do, with the money we've given them." A State Department spokesman declined to comment on the secretary's private conversations.
Reversing Trump's tariffs and economic fallout
Democrats are also aiming to address the economic pain caused by Trump's tariffs, which they argue have contributed to inflation. They plan to push for a review of trade policies and seek to restore congressional oversight over tariff decisions, which they believe have been imposed without proper consultation.
Restoring congressional authority
Underpinning all these efforts is a broader goal: reasserting Congress's constitutional role in foreign policy. Democrats argue that Trump's actions — from the Iran war to the dismantling of USAID — have circumvented legislative approval. They intend to use the appropriations process, oversight hearings, and public pressure to reclaim that authority.
As Democrats gear up for this agenda, they face the challenge of balancing aggressive oversight with the need to deliver tangible results. The party's leadership is mindful of the public's fatigue with partisan battles, but they see these priorities as essential to national security and democratic accountability.
