Let's discuss #politics and what can realistically be done by the federal democrats over the next two years.

First, basically everything that can be done legislatively requires one of three things:

1. The president's signature
2. 2/3rds +1 vote in both chambers
3. 2/3rds +1 vote in the Senate + 50% + 1 of the house.

What they _can_ do is start investigating. They can subpoena. They can hold interviews. They can probe. They can refer (or defer) to states for local laws broken while helping uncover things. They can create a paper trail for some future president—and that president's justice department—to pick up.

The Senate can also deny appointments. This is an amazingly powerful thing that should not be underestimated.

But they cannot:

1. Prosecute directly.
2. Change the laws unilaterally.
3. Defund unilaterally.
4. Impeach and remove either the President or the President's extant appointments.

This means that you are going to see them make tactical decisions. They know they can't win a defunding fight, so don't be surprised if they don't reach for it. They _may_ be able to win a reduction in funding or restrictions around ICE as part of a compromise, but a full elimination of ICE is not happening realistically for the next two years.

Just to set expectations on where we are and what comes next.

Brought to you by a parade of leftists I've been seeing attacking the Democrats for focusing on what they _can_ accomplish and what _is_ within their power rather than making big pronouncements that they have no ability to follow up on.