Democrats woke up furious the morning after some sought to bring the fight to President Trump during his address Tuesday to a joint session Congress, arguing their protests had backfired and underscored why their party lost November's election in the first place.

“We never learn,” one Democratic strategist said flatly, feeling deflated by the Democrats’ response.

“We can't just be the party that barks at Trump, and I'm sorry, but that's what we are. And until we learn that lesson, we're going to lose.”

Another strategist was also miffed by the scene that unfolded.

“He owned us,” the strategist said. “He made us look like what we are: f‑‑‑ing buffoons.”

Democrats have been trying to figure out how best to respond to Trump since their November loss, particularly as he aims to reconfigure the federal government. Initially, many in the party said they did not want to repeat their “resistance” strategy during Trump's first term.

But resistance was on full display during Trump’s marathon speech Tuesday night in the House chamber, where a host of liberal Democrats conducted a variety of protests to highlight their opposition to a president they deem a threat to the country. Some held up signs in support of Medicaid and opposing Elon Musk. Others stood to display “resist” messages on their shirts, then walked silently out of the chamber.

Most remarkably, Rep. Al Green, a 77-year-old Texas Democrat, stood up just minutes into Trump’s speech and heckled the president, his cane waving toward the lectern. When Green ignored entreaties from the House Speaker to “take your seat,” he was ejected from the chamber.

The demonstrations have energized many liberals in the Democrats’ base — a group that’s........

© The Hill