They don’t hold real power—voters gave it to Trump and a Republican Congress in 2024. So when critics slam Democratic leaders, what exactly do they expect them to do that would actually change anything? Keep in mind that Trump controls everything else. That includes the GOP-controlled Congress.
You're right. That's why they need to be more forceful. They need to stop sugarcoating their language. They need to file more lawsuits. They need to act more like Newsom. It might not have a lot of impact but it would have more impact than the milquetoast approach they have been taking until now.
What I like most about Newsom's messaging is how it forces people - MAGA and non-MAGA - to see how ridiculous and horrible Trump has always been.