California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is leaning into his aggressive attacks against President Trump, mimicking his online style and adopting his peculiar lexicon.

His efforts have invigorated a Democratic party that’s eager to challenge MAGA on its home turf, using its tactics and adopting its style. Other Democrats are following his lead.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) says he is not running for president, but he takes actions that make a run viable. He recently called President Trump a “chicken hawk” and later told him to “keep our name out of your mouth”, receiving enthusiastic applause from a supportive crowd.

This is a change for Moore, who previously presented himself as a pragmatist interested in holding the moral high ground.

Moore’s changing tone may be rooted in genuine exasperation with the president’s policies. But the timing suggests his behavior is driven by a desire to keep pace with Newsom as he redefines the contours of Democratic resistance to President Trump.

Democrats are at a crossroads. They can mimic MAGA or choose to set an example of virtuous politics.

The latter requires trust that most Americans will support leaders who bring them out of the Trump era, rather than politicians who surrender to its worst parts by adopting its mannerisms.

Becoming MAGA with a different tax policy won’t extricate the country from its current malaise or begin to heal........

© The Hill