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In a high-profile display of political positioning, prominent Democrats are using the Munich Security Conference in Germany to criticize President Donald Trump’s international agenda while bolstering their foreign policy credentials ahead of potential 2028 presidential runs.
California Governor Gavin Newsom made waves at the prestigious gathering Friday, declaring during a climate change discussion that “Donald Trump is temporary. He’ll be gone in three years.” Newsom, appearing at his third major international conference in recent months, delivered a blistering critique of the president’s environmental policies, asserting that Trump is “doubling down on stupid” and calling him “the most destructive president” in American history.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York struck a similar tone, charging that “we are seeing our presidential administration tear apart the transatlantic partnership, rip up every democratic norm.” During two separate appearances, Ocasio-Cortez argued that American relationships with allies have deteriorated under Trump, claiming the United States is “in a compromised position compared to where we were five years ago.”
The Munich appearances by Newsom and Ocasio-Cortez represent part of a broader strategy by several high-profile Democrats to present themselves as alternatives to the current administration and to Vice President JD Vance, widely considered the early Republican frontrunner for 2028. Vance delivered a contentious speech criticizing European leaders at the same forum last year.
Other Democrats with national ambitions making appearances at the conference include Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly of Arizona, Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, and former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
“I think many of us are here to say we are here, and we are ready for the next chapter, not to have the world turn to isolation, but to deepen our partnership… and increase our commitment to integrity to our values,” Ocasio-Cortez told attendees, positioning herself and fellow Democrats as guardians of international cooperation.
The White House responded forcefully to the criticism, stating that “Gavin Newscum and AOC should be fixing California and New York’s many problems, but instead, they are frolicking in Europe, where no one knows or cares who they are.”
During one town hall session, Ocasio-Cortez was directly asked about presidential aspirations when the moderator inquired whether she would “impose a wealth tax or a billionaire’s tax” if she were to run. The progressive lawmaker, who has consistently advocated for higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy, responded with a laugh before saying, “We don’t have to wait for any one president to impose a wealth tax… That needs to be done expeditiously.”
Political analysts view these international appearances as strategic positioning for future campaigns. Matthew Bartlett, a State Department official during Trump’s first term, described the conference as “something of a cattle call for 2028” where Democrats are attempting to “develop some sort of foreign policy credential” ahead of the next presidential cycle.
Terry Shumaker, who served as U.S. ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago during the Clinton administration, noted the practical benefits of such appearances, saying they provide potential candidates with “experience, confidence, and something to refer back to on the campaign trail when they’re asked about their foreign policy experience.”
Beyond personal political calculations, Shumaker suggested these appearances serve a broader diplomatic purpose by signaling to international partners that “Trump is not a monolith. That there’s another side of the story in the United States.”
As the 2028 presidential race unofficially gets underway, these high-profile international appearances demonstrate how potential Democratic candidates are already positioning themselves on the global stage, building foreign policy credentials, and offering contrasting visions to the current administration’s approach to international relations.
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8 Comments
While I may not agree with all of Newsom and AOC’s criticisms, I appreciate their willingness to engage on these important issues at an international forum. Constructive debate on foreign policy is vital for a healthy democracy.
Newsom and AOC’s criticisms of Trump’s environmental policies and the deterioration of US relationships with allies under his administration highlight the political tensions surrounding these issues. It will be worth watching how this plays out leading up to 2028.
The Munich conference provides a high-profile platform for potential 2028 candidates to showcase their foreign policy credentials. It will be interesting to see if other Democrats join Newsom and AOC in criticizing Trump’s approach on the global stage.
You raise a good point. The global stage can be an effective way for politicians to elevate their profiles and differentiate themselves from their opponents. It will be worth monitoring how this unfolds in the coming years.
It’s interesting to see prominent Democrats like Newsom and AOC using the Munich Security Conference to criticize Trump’s international agenda and position themselves for potential 2028 runs. Their comments suggest a growing partisan divide in US foreign policy.
The comments from Newsom and AOC highlight the deep partisan divides in US politics, even on foreign policy. It will be interesting to see how this plays out as we approach the 2028 presidential race.
While I appreciate the need for robust debate on foreign policy, the partisan nature of these comments is concerning. I hope our political leaders can find ways to work together in the national interest, regardless of party affiliation.
I agree, bipartisanship is crucial on issues of national importance. Hopefully these politicians can put aside their differences and focus on what’s best for the country.