The party is quickly facing an uncomfortable choice: they can either work with the GOP on issues that might resonate with Midwestern voters who rejected them or take a just-say-no stance that could make it easier to score political points while leaving the burden of governing to the GOP.

Democrats don't have long to pick a route.

"I think it's really important that Democrats come out in this new Congress and demonstrate that they are not going just going to go along with the Trump get along," said Symone Sanders, a former spokesperson for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign. "We should not budge."

Potential leaders of a populist opposition campaign to Trump includes Sen. Sanders himself, who used the politics of protest to strong effect during his Democratic primary bid. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren may also have an incentive to emerge as a leading voice against Trump as buzz stirs over a possible presidential primary bid in 2020.