Democrats say that when it comes to Republicans in Congress standing up to President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE, they'll believe it when they see it.



The latest test is on trade, where GOP senators have expressed open hostility to Trump’s plan to impose escalating tariffs on imports from Mexico.



Democrats are needling their GOP colleagues to do more than complain about it, saying they are doubtful that the GOP will take concrete steps to block the president.





ADVERTISEMENT

“I’m hopeful, but I’m also skeptical. If past is prologue, my Republican friends will ultimately back down,” Senate Minority Leader(D-N.Y.) said Wednesday, adding that he hoped “they will actually stand up to him.”The internal GOP strife is an opportunity for Democrats, who hope to capitalize on what they say is a Republican inability to stand up to Trump, even on issues such as trade that have been core to the GOP for decades.In next year's elections, they are likely to cast every Republican running for office in the House and Senate as a loyal foot soldier to Trump, highlighting the party's reluctance to take the president on.“I’m sure they’ll lay down and let him walk over them,” said Rep.(D-N.J.), who serves on the House Ways and Means subcommittee that covers trade.Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), whose state counts Mexico as its largest trade partner, noted that trade was among the key areas of disagreement between the president and his party, but expressed similar skepticism of the GOP.

“If they're having an epiphany they should run it all the way through. It would be a first," he said.

But he did say that the issue of trade seemed to resonate with Republicans.

“Of all the indignities that this president has done, this seems to be the one that has stimulated them to say something out loud and pretend they're going to do something to reel him back,” he added.

A senior Democratic aide said that when it comes to standing up to Trump, “Republican talk is cheap.”

There are reasons why Republicans are loathe to challenge Trump that go beyond mere fealty to the president.

Trump has been a force in GOP primaries, and anyone challenging him on a major issue knows that in doing so, they risk giving a primary opponent momentum.

Former Rep. Mark Sanford Mark SanfordOn The Money: Business world braces for blue sweep | Federal Reserve chief to outline plans for inflation, economy | Meadows 'not optimistic' about stalemate on coronavirus deal Trump critic Sanford forms anti-debt advocacy group Republicans officially renominate Trump for president MORE (R-S.C.) lost his seat in a primary after criticizing the president, while Sen. Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeHow fast population growth made Arizona a swing state Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Republican former Michigan governor says he's voting for Biden MORE (R-Ariz.), another Trump critic, retired after seeing his chances of winning his primary upended.



Both were ultimately replaced by Democrats.

Republicans such as Sen. Rob Portman Robert (Rob) Jones PortmanMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Romney undecided on authorizing subpoenas for GOP Obama-era probes Congress needs to prioritize government digital service delivery MORE (Ohio) said that if the tariffs go through on Monday, he expects a vote to block it. This would likely be done in the form of a disapproval resolution.



But Sen. Ron Johnson Ronald (Ron) Harold JohnsonThe Hill's 12:30 Report: Ginsburg lies in repose CHC leaders urge Senate to oppose Chad Wolf nomination Top GOP senators say Hunter Biden's work 'cast a shadow' over Obama Ukraine policy MORE (R-Wis.), a vocal opponent of the tariffs, predicted Congress would not have the votes to override a Trump veto.

“I don’t think there’s a possibility for a veto override,” he said.

Congress has failed to override Trump’s veto on other disputed areas, such as a rebuke of his use of emergency power to reprogram funds for his proposed border wall and a bill blocking support for Saudi Arabia's campaign in Yemen's civil war.

There has been some talk that the Senate could get 67 votes to overturn a Trump veto on something related to the tariffs on Mexico.

But doing so would be much tougher in the House, where Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy Kevin Owen McCarthyMcCarthy threatens motion to oust Pelosi if she moves forward with impeachment Kate Schroder in Ohio among Democratic challengers squelching GOP hopes for the House McCarthy's Democratic challenger to launch first TV ad highlighting Air Force service as single mother MORE (R-Calif.) offered support for Trump’s efforts and criticism of those complaining about the tariffs. McCarthy said such criticism was undercutting Trump’s position with the Mexican government.

“End of the day, we should support the president so we can get an agreement so we don’t have tariffs,” McCarthy said. “Them talking about not supporting him undercuts his ability to do that.”

Trump’s emergence as the GOP presidential nominee caused some Republicans to essentially leave the party and created a universe of “Never Trumpers.”

These voices have often criticized congressional Republicans for betraying conservative principles to stand with Trump. Conservative pundit George Will said the GOP had become “a cult” for Trump.

“Conservatives said we're for free trade. Trump said, 'By the way, you're not anymore.' And they said, 'OK, we're not for free trade anymore,' ” he told MSNBC.



Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellFEC flags McConnell campaign over suspected accounting errors Poll: 59 percent think president elected in November should name next Supreme Court justice Mark Kelly: Arizona Senate race winner should be sworn in 'promptly' MORE (R-Ky.) has expressed hope that Trump will back off his threat following meetings with Mexican officials.



“Most of us hope that this Mexican delegation that’s come up here and discussed the challenges at the border — and what the Mexicans might be able to do to help us more than they have — will be fruitful and that these tariffs will not kick in,” he said Tuesday.



Indeed, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro told CNN Wednesday that the “tariffs may not have to go into effect precisely because we have the Mexicans' attention."

McConnell is pushing for a behind-the-scenes solution, which would give his caucus a reprieve.

“There is not much support in my conference for tariffs, that’s for sure,” he said.