Tom Nichols

It's a good question. I think you can negotiate that. You can write language into the appropriations bill that strengthens your hand down the road. You can get written commitments from OMB and from the president. Can they go back on those? Yes, absolutely. But then that brings us back to the courts, like the stronger commitments you get.

It's a good question. I think you can negotiate that. You can write language into the appropriations bill that strengthens your hand down the road. You can get written commitments from OMB and from the president. Can they go back on those? Yes, absolutely. But then that brings us back to the courts, like the stronger commitments you get.

It's a good question. I think you can negotiate that. You can write language into the appropriations bill that strengthens your hand down the road. You can get written commitments from OMB and from the president. Can they go back on those? Yes, absolutely. But then that brings us back to the courts, like the stronger commitments you get.

If they break those commitments, then our hand when all of this eventually gets to the Supreme Court is even stronger. And look, at the end of the day, I think they're not that tough. And I do think that if they're forced to back down, they will back down.

If they break those commitments, then our hand when all of this eventually gets to the Supreme Court is even stronger. And look, at the end of the day, I think they're not that tough. And I do think that if they're forced to back down, they will back down.

If they break those commitments, then our hand when all of this eventually gets to the Supreme Court is even stronger. And look, at the end of the day, I think they're not that tough. And I do think that if they're forced to back down, they will back down.

Yes, that's what I would say. You want to keep the government open, be my guest. You got the votes. Yeah. This is only relevant if you need my help. And if you need my help, you know what? I'm going to be really conciliatory. I'm not going to insist on progressive policy priorities. I'm not going to insist on democratic budget priorities. I get it. You won the election.

Yes, that's what I would say. You want to keep the government open, be my guest. You got the votes. Yeah. This is only relevant if you need my help. And if you need my help, you know what? I'm going to be really conciliatory. I'm not going to insist on progressive policy priorities. I'm not going to insist on democratic budget priorities. I get it. You won the election.

Yes, that's what I would say. You want to keep the government open, be my guest. You got the votes. Yeah. This is only relevant if you need my help. And if you need my help, you know what? I'm going to be really conciliatory. I'm not going to insist on progressive policy priorities. I'm not going to insist on democratic budget priorities. I get it. You won the election.

No, none of that shit, right? Like you won the election. You get to pass a budget. It's going to have stuff in it that I disagree with. It's going to have more cuts than I would like. But at the very least, just fucking assure me that the budget we pass, the law we pass, is going to be respected. That is the most reasonable demand that you could make. And I think, look, explain my party.

No, none of that shit, right? Like you won the election. You get to pass a budget. It's going to have stuff in it that I disagree with. It's going to have more cuts than I would like. But at the very least, just fucking assure me that the budget we pass, the law we pass, is going to be respected. That is the most reasonable demand that you could make. And I think, look, explain my party.

No, none of that shit, right? Like you won the election. You get to pass a budget. It's going to have stuff in it that I disagree with. It's going to have more cuts than I would like. But at the very least, just fucking assure me that the budget we pass, the law we pass, is going to be respected. That is the most reasonable demand that you could make. And I think, look, explain my party.

I think a lot of them were made for different times. I don't dislike them for this. They're good people. They're used to a world in which the rules are followed. And we're in a world where a president of the United States is trying to assert, trying to amass powers that the Constitution doesn't give him. And he's daring us to stop him. And if we don't stop him, then he has those powers.

I think a lot of them were made for different times. I don't dislike them for this. They're good people. They're used to a world in which the rules are followed. And we're in a world where a president of the United States is trying to assert, trying to amass powers that the Constitution doesn't give him. And he's daring us to stop him. And if we don't stop him, then he has those powers.

I think a lot of them were made for different times. I don't dislike them for this. They're good people. They're used to a world in which the rules are followed. And we're in a world where a president of the United States is trying to assert, trying to amass powers that the Constitution doesn't give him. And he's daring us to stop him. And if we don't stop him, then he has those powers.

And we're in a very, very different country. And so I think my message to Democrats is you have to have the stomach for the fight ahead. If you don't, the exits are clearly marked. There are other people who can step up and lead for you if this is not a fight that you're comfortable waging. But it's also one that we can win.

And we're in a very, very different country. And so I think my message to Democrats is you have to have the stomach for the fight ahead. If you don't, the exits are clearly marked. There are other people who can step up and lead for you if this is not a fight that you're comfortable waging. But it's also one that we can win.

And we're in a very, very different country. And so I think my message to Democrats is you have to have the stomach for the fight ahead. If you don't, the exits are clearly marked. There are other people who can step up and lead for you if this is not a fight that you're comfortable waging. But it's also one that we can win.

We've got all kinds of power that is real, unlike the kind of performative power that Trump is using. So use it. And also, Americans want leaders who are strong and not leaders who are weak. So politically, it also pays to be strong.

We've got all kinds of power that is real, unlike the kind of performative power that Trump is using. So use it. And also, Americans want leaders who are strong and not leaders who are weak. So politically, it also pays to be strong.