A rising number of House Democrats and grassroots liberal organizations are demanding the resignation of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) following his inability to prevent several senators from supporting a deal to reopen the government. This escalating call for Schumer's ousting highlights a year of increasing frustration from younger and more assertive members of the Democratic Party, who argue that his leadership is misaligned with the current political landscape, especially in the wake of the Trump era.
Critics have voiced that Schumer has not adequately risen to the challenges presented by contemporary political dynamics. Progressive Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Minn.) expressed her discontent on social media, stating that Schumer is "out of touch with the American people." Meanwhile, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a moderate candidate running for the U.S. Senate, criticized Schumer's effectiveness, claiming that a competent leader would have unified his caucus to oppose the Senate's shutdown deal.
Between Sunday night and Monday afternoon, a cohort of Democratic representatives, including Moulton, Tlaib, Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), publicly urged Schumer to step down. "It is time for us to have somebody who can stand up to Trump and someone that is unwavering, somebody more strategic, and frankly, somebody with guts," said Thanedar in a recent interview.
Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) also weighed in, asserting that Schumer should no longer remain in his leadership position. Additionally, Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), who previously called for Schumer's resignation in March, reiterated her stance by stating, "I've said it before, and I will say it again ... Schumer needs to resign." Notably, only Ramirez and Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) had previously called for Schumer's resignation when he supported a Republican spending bill in March.
Other Democrats have approached the topic with caution. Rep. Emily Randall (D-Wash.) indicated that if she had a vote, it would be for Patty Murray, referencing her home state's senator. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) criticized Schumer for his management of the shutdown and for not endorsing New York's Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, suggesting a lack of alignment with progressive values.
Schumer's potential ouster is being actively supported by grassroots organizations. The progressive group Indivisible is mobilizing Democratic voters to reach out to their senators, urging them to demand Schumer’s resignation. They are also launching initiatives to promote candidates in upcoming Senate Democratic primaries who oppose Schumer's leadership. Additionally, the progressive organization MoveOn reported that around 80% of its members voted in a survey advocating for Schumer to step down from his leadership role.
Several Democratic Senate candidates, including Moulton, Iowa's Nathan Sage, Zach Wahls, and Maine's Graham Platner, have also joined the chorus calling for Schumer's resignation, reflecting a significant shift among party members.
In contrast, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has publicly supported Schumer. Initially non-committal about Schumer’s leadership, Jeffries firmly backed him on Monday, stating, "Yes and yes," when asked if Schumer should remain in his position. He praised the Senate Democrats' ongoing efforts, asserting that the "overwhelming majority" have fought valiantly over recent weeks.
Interestingly, the discontent towards Schumer persists despite his personal opposition to the bipartisan deal. Reports indicate that he actively worked behind the scenes to prevent the bipartisan spending bill from passing. However, some Democrats contend that his efforts are overshadowed by the perception that either he endorsed the deal or is unable to manage his caucus effectively. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) articulated this sentiment during a private Democratic caucus meeting, emphasizing the need for clarity in leadership.
As it stands, the internal dynamics of the Democratic Party suggest that Schumer's leadership remains unchallenged for the moment, as no Democratic senator has publicly called for him to resign. The unfolding situation illustrates the ongoing tensions within the party as members grapple with the need for strong leadership in an increasingly polarized political environment.
