With support from the University of Richmond

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

Democrats are drowning out Trump's tweets

Democrats finally have a bully pulpit of their own: the House of Representatives.

Control of the House is an awesome source of power. Within one month of officially retaking the lower chamber, the Democrats have managed to do something that proved to be almost impossible in the past two years -- they have constrained President Donald Trump's ability to dominate the national conversation. For the first time, his endless stream of tweets has been pushed a little further into the background.

Democrats have used their newfound power in the House to focus on investigations surrounding Trump, while forcing policy discussions on health care, climate change and gun control. As a result, the media and the public are talking about these issues instead of constantly responding to every provocation that comes from the President.

On Friday, Democrats were able to raise their concerns and ask whether the President and the Justice Department have been trying to stifle special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker testified before the House Judiciary Committee and literally tried to silence Chairman Jerrold Nadler by telling him his five minutes were up. By plowing forward with his question, Nadler showed audiences that Whitaker and the administration are now in the hot seat.

Read entire article at CNN