Democrats hunt for Trump vulnerability, zero in on inflation

Democrats, scrambling to find a weak spot in President Trump’s political armor, are accusing him of abandoning his vow to lower costs for American families.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that the Trump administration is employing a “toxic bait and switch” strategy that is meant to pull people’s attention away from the fact that the president wants to cut taxes for the rich and has not done anything to lower inflation.

“The core promise that Donald Trump made was that he was going to lower costs for everyday Americans,” the New York Democrat said on ABC’s “This Week.” “In fact, we were told that grocery prices would go down on Day 1, on Jan. 20. Costs are not lower. In fact, they are increasing.”

Relegated to the minority in both chambers of Congress, Democrats are searching for a message that resonates with voters and helps them slow Mr. Trump, who has been moving at a breakneck pace.

Meanwhile, inflation has remained stubbornly high. The latest inflation report showed groceries and gasoline prices increased. The cost of eggs also spiked because of the shortage from an avian influenza outbreak.

For his part, Mr. Trump has blamed his predecessor for the stubbornly high costs.

“I’ve been here for three weeks. I’ve had nothing to do with inflation,” Mr. Trump told reporters Sunday. “This was caused by Biden.”

However, Democrats say inflation is Mr. Trump’s problem now. They insist the president’s chaotic approach and his tariffs are making things worse and will increase costs.

Speaking on the CBS News program “Face the Nation,” Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, said the Trump administration has come to realize the “stagnation that was created by the policies of President Biden was way worse than we thought.”

Mr. Hassett said the administration’s plan to “end inflation” combines supply-side tax cuts with reductions in government spending, the expansion of energy production and cutting regulations to spur economic activity. He also said the administration is finalizing a plan to address the avian flu and reduce the cost of eggs.

Mr. Trump has enjoyed solid public support since taking the oath of office.

A recent Marquette University poll found that a strong majority of voters support Mr. Trump’s executive order recognizing only two sexes. They also favor his push to deport unauthorized immigrants and expand oil and gas production.

Voters in that poll, however, were more skeptical of Mr. Trump’s ability to fulfill his promise of lowering inflation, with nearly half saying Mr. Trump’s policy proposals will increase inflation.

A CBS poll released last week also found that 66% of Americans said the administration isn’t focusing enough on lowering the prices of goods and services. Roughly three-fourths of voters said placing tariffs on imports will make things more expensive, and half of voters said Mr. Trump’s policies will increase the cost of food and groceries.

“People are really worried about mismanagement of the economy and tariffs and prices going up,” said Sen. Tim Kaine, Virginia Democrat, on “Fox News Sunday.”

Mr. Jeffries said the Trump administration had not done anything to help working-class Americans reeling from high housing, child care, and utility prices.

“This country is too expensive, but they have broken their promises,” he said. “They have no interest in improving the quality of life of hardworking American taxpayers.”