WASHINGTON (AP) — Tensions within the Democratic Party reached a breaking point on Friday as a wave of frustration and anger was directed at Senate Democrats, particularly Sen. Chuck Schumer, over a difficult decision regarding a Republican funding bill supported by President Donald Trump. Following Schumer’s announcement that he would reluctantly back the bill, he faced backlash, including protests at his office, calls for him to be challenged in the 2028 primaries, and speculation about the need for new party leadership.
Since the Democrats’ electoral setbacks, they have been grappling with challenges under Trump’s presidency, struggling to find a way to regain political ground. As Schumer made the decision to pass up an opportunity for the party to exert influence in Washington, long-simmering anger within the Democratic Party boiled over.
Many party members believed Schumer was not being forceful enough, arguing that a government shutdown could have pressured Trump and the Republicans into negotiations. However, Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats since 2016, viewed avoiding a shutdown as crucial to prevent giving Trump more control and shielding the Democrats from blame for disruptions in government services.
Despite Schumer’s warnings about the consequences of a shutdown, few Democrats were rallying in support of his approach as the Senate prepared for a key vote on the funding bill. This marked a significant shift for Schumer, with little backing from his party.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Schumer’s longtime ally, criticized the notion of a false choice between supporting or fighting against the bill, emphasizing the need for a different approach. Pelosi urged senators to listen to Democratic appropriations leaders Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Sen. Patty Murray, who had proposed a 30-day funding extension instead of the Republican plan.
House Democrats, who mostly opposed the bill earlier in the week, voiced their discontent at a retreat in Virginia and called on their Senate counterparts to push back against the bill. House Democratic leaders returned to the Capitol to urge the Senate to reject the bill, emphasizing they were not afraid of a showdown over government funding.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a possible presidential contender in 2028, also attended the Democratic retreat and called for a united front. Drawing parallels to historic civil rights protests, Beshear emphasized the need for Democrats to show “collective courage” in the face of adversity.
“There wasn’t just one voice,” stated Beshear. “It was the collective courage of that group that truly changed the world. That day revealed the harsh reality of what was truly happening.” Some members were eager to take action. “We are prepared to leave this building and return to the Capitol at any moment to prevent the government shutdown,” declared Rep. Greg Casar of Texas, chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. “Now is the time for Democrats to draw a line in the sand and firmly stand on the side of working-class individuals, opposing the wealthy elite who seek to manipulate our government for their own gain,” he emphasized. At the same time, prominent progressive organizations cautioned Senate Democrats about the potential political repercussions and expected strong backlash upon their return to their constituencies. Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, disclosed that the vast majority of their activists support primary challenges against Senate Democrats who yield to the GOP bill. Similarly, MoveOn, with nearly 10 million members nationwide, anticipated its activists demanding accountability from Democratic officials. “Enabling Donald Trump and Elon Musk to dismantle Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid is not tolerable. Democrats must step up and cease acting as if it’s business as usual,” urged Joel Payne, a spokesperson for MoveOn. Anne Caprara, chief of staff for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, asserted that the party could unite in opposition against Trump. “The ongoing struggle within the Democratic Party is not about ideology but about those willing to fight versus those ready to capitulate,” she stressed. Some Senators refrained from defending Schumer’s decision, with Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia even hinting at the need for new leadership in the future. “By ’26, ’28, we might see new leadership emerge,” he remarked. Despite the challenges, senators lamented being cornered by a resolute Republican Party that rallied behind Trump, notably passing the bill on party lines. “We are confronted with two unfavorable choices due to a united Republican front,” remarked Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, reflecting on the complexities of the situation.
