United States: Michigan Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin used her speech to champion bipartisan cooperation while attacking the policies of former President Trump as a moderate Democrat. During her speech she used former Republican President Ronald Reagan to explain the necessity of bipartisan support for national defense policies along with economic security, as reported by Reuters.
Bridging Political Divides
Slotkin used her CIA analysis experience to underline that Democrats and Republicans must align on defense and democracy issues. During her announcement she declared her willingness to unite Democrats with Republicans for the resolution of essential national matters.
Since Trump restarted his presidency Republican Party members have confronted growing internal divisions. Several liberal members staged a visible protest by leaving their seats while Trump delivered his televised speech to Congress.
Reagan’s Legacy vs. Trump’s Ukraine Policy
Slotkin sharply criticized Trump’s handling of the Ukraine conflict, arguing that he has abandoned core Republican values. She referenced Reagan’s approach to global leadership and condemned Trump’s decision to pause U.S. aid to Ukraine.
“After the spectacle that just took place in the Oval Office last week, Reagan must be rolling over in his grave,” Slotkin said, referring to Trump’s controversial conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
“We all want an end to the war in Ukraine, but Reagan understood that true strength required America to combine our military and economic might with moral clarity,” she added.
Economic Concerns Take Center Stage
Slotkin also took aim at Trump’s economic policies, blaming them for rising prices that have driven middle-class voters away from Democrats. She acknowledged that Democrats lost ground in the last election because they failed to address economic concerns effectively.
“Do his plans actually help Americans get ahead? Not even close,” she stated.
Recognizing past missteps, Democrats have since made the economy a central focus, hoping to regain voter trust.
A Promise of Principled Leadership
In her closing remarks Slotkin vowed to base her leadership on honesty and always serve the interests of ordinary citizens, as reported by Reuters.
“I promise that I, and my fellow Democrats, will do everything in our power to be the principled leaders that you deserve,” she said.