As a lifelong Dem, I never thought I’d see my party embarrass itself so much

 

by Council Member Robert Holden (D) represents District 30 in Queens.

As a lifelong Democrat, I never imagined I would watch my own party embarrass itself so thoroughly — and so publicly — as it did during Tuesday’s joint session of Congress.

From obnoxious booing to childish protest signs to a sitting member of Congress having to be physically removed from the chamber, Democrats turned what should have been a solemn, dignified event into a bad reality show.

And for what?

To go viral on TikTok?

To book a slot on MSNBC to brag about their “resistance”?

Nothing was more disgraceful than when my colleagues refused to stand or clap when 13-year-old DJ Daniel, a brain-cancer survivor, was made an honorary Secret Service agent.

This boy beat cancer and dreamed of protecting the president.

That dream came true when President Donald Trump honored him — a beautiful, human moment that should have transcended politics.

Democrats used to be the party of compassion — the party that stood up for the vulnerable and celebrated stories of triumph over adversity.

Now? We can’t even clap for a kid who beat cancer if the “wrong” president is standing beside him.

When Trump said biological men shouldn’t compete in women’s sports, Democrats acted like he’d proposed banning Little League.

But most Americans — including plenty of Democrats — agree that protecting women’s sports isn’t radical.

It’s common sense.

The same thing happened when Trump called for cutting waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government.

Democrats stayed silent.

Are we now the party that supports waste, fraud and abuse?

When Trump honored families whose loved ones were killed due to reckless sanctuary policies — policies I’ve fought to reform in New York City — Democrats couldn’t even show basic respect.

When he honored Stephanie Diller, the widow of murdered NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, it should have been a moment of unity.

Yet many Democrats offered only lukewarm applause, if any at all.

And when Trump called for the death penalty for cop killers, the silence was deafening.

Since when did standing up for the families of fallen officers become controversial?

Another disappointing moment came when President Trump called for peace in Ukraine — a goal that should have brought both sides of the aisle to their feet.

Democrats were once the party of peace, but you wouldn’t know it from the silence.

Have we really reached a point where even supporting peace is treated as partisan?

It’s a sad reflection of how far my party has drifted.

This isn’t principled resistance — it’s emotional immaturity.

It also reeks of hypocrisy: Democrats rightly condemned Republican Rep. Joe Wilson when he shouted, “You lie!” at President Barack Obama during a State of the Union.

Back then, we said such outbursts were beneath the dignity of Congress.

But Democrats’ antics on Tuesday — waving signs, heckling and walking out — were just as bad, if not worse.

Democrat Rep. Al Green even had to be physically removed from the chamber.

When we act like this, we embarrass ourselves and alienate the very voters we claim to champion.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) called it “a sad cavalcade of self-owns and unhinged petulance” that only made Trump look “more presidential and restrained.”

He warned that Democrats are becoming the political equivalent of a car alarm — constantly blaring, and increasingly ignored.

Voters want leaders who act like adults, who clap for good ideas, no matter who proposes them, and who show bipartisan respect for families who’ve suffered unimaginable loss.

Americans are exhausted by this nonsense.

They want leaders who solve problems, not politicians chasing retweets.

They want representatives who stand up for common sense — not political theater.

Until we get back to that, we don’t deserve to govern.

I’m not saying we should agree with everything Trump says — far from it.

However, there’s a way to disagree with dignity and class.

My fellow Democrats didn’t just miss that opportunity — they sprinted in the opposite direction.

I’m embarrassed for my party.

But more importantly, I am worried for my country.

If Democrats can’t even applaud a kid beating cancer, grieving families, saving tax dollars, securing our borders or a call for peace — what does that say about us?