ARI FLEISCHER: A Democratic majority means a mad dash to the left for 2028

Now that the Democrats have taken control of Congress, expect limited action on the legislative front. While Trumps agenda and his appointments are certainly stymied, the President still has a veto, so nothing happens unless the President wants it to happen.

But thats not the story you should keep an eye on.

Instead, look out for the influence Congressional Democrats will have on the Democratic presidential primary, which begins now. Recall the last time there was a contested Democratic presidential primary, in 2019 and 2020, a record 29 Democratic candidates declared presidential runs.

The earliest was on August 10, 2017, when former Congressman John Delaney (D-MD) jumped the gun and became the first declared candidate, way before the 2018 midterm was held. He was followed by Andrew Yang, who also announced the year prior to the mid-term. They were followed by Elizabeth Warrens announcement of her exploratory committee in December 2018. Before January 2019 was over, six more candidates jumped in, including Kamala Harris. Bernie Sanders announced in February 2019 and eventual winner, Joe Biden, entered in late April.

Get ready for a repeat this cycle. The 2027-2028 race will kick off now, and its likely there will be more than 20 Democratic candidates in the running.

Just as Donald Trump in 2015 broke the Republican Party and ushered in a populist era, the Democratic Party, even after this 2026 win, is about to break. The old Democratic Party is receding, as the newly ascendant, redistributive socialists and progressives push to get their way.

Look for Democrats to push the envelope everywhere. Compromising with Trump is not in the Democrats DNA, especially not after the rout the GOP just suffered. The Democrats significant majorities wont shield them from the energy the left has on the party. Democrats run as moderates, but then govern from the left. See Jon Ossoff in Georgia. James Talarico and Abdul el Sayed are not going to vote purple. Theyre as blue as you get.

It wont matter next year if their legislation doesnt have enough votes to overcome a veto. Passing laws isnt the goal. Preparing for 2028 is.

The Democrats in 2027 will step into the on-deck circle of governance and politics. If they go too far, theyll get hit by their own pitch.

REPORTERS NOTEBOOK: A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY COULD EXPOSE THE LIMITS OF THE PROGRESSIVE AGENDA

Medicare for All, the abolition of ICE and cutting off support for Israel are catnip for the Democrats. They will be Democratic priorities, even if the votes arent there. Democratic presidential contenders will call on Congress to pass these measures, and Congressional leaders will be pressured by rank and file to take them up.

The filibuster will likely be eliminated, allowing for passage of an expansion of the Supreme Cou