Dems Divided Over Schumer-Led Govt. Shutdown

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is under fire from Republicans and even some in his own party for refusing to support a clean continuing resolution that would keep the federal government funded into November.

The stalemate triggered a partial government shutdown at midnight Wednesday, and growing voices across the political spectrum are laying the blame at Schumer’s feet. Republicans have already branded the crisis the “Schumer Shutdown” — a label quickly gaining traction.

Schumer’s Political Calculus

While Schumer has historically opposed government shutdowns, his calculus appears different this time. Insiders suggest the Democratic leader is more concerned about protecting his political career than protecting American families from disruption.

Whispers in Democratic circles suggest Schumer is looking over his shoulder at a potential 2028 primary challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), whose far-left base has consistently pressured him to take harder progressive stances. The radical wing of his party was furious back in March when Schumer joined Republicans to prevent a shutdown. Now, critics say his current obstruction is an attempt to appease them.

Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) told Newsmax Tuesday evening that Schumer is sacrificing national stability for political survival.

“I think that Chuck Schumer, clearly, is choosing his political livelihood over what’s best for the country. He is answering to his base, his far left base, who are demanding that he shut this government down. Look at everything he’s done, step by step; he wanted to shut this government down,” Marshall said.

Marshall argued that Republicans were not demanding cuts but simply continuation of existing spending levels Democrats themselves supported previously.

“What his base doesn’t realize yet is that they lost the election. That elections have consequences. All we’ve asked them to do is continue funding at the levels that they chose, and instead, they want one and a half trillion dollars more. So Chuck Schumer owns this. Their demands are just simply not even worth even considering yet,” Marshall added.

The Trump Factor

Marshall also pointed out that much of Schumer’s obstruction is rooted in reflexive opposition to President Donald J. Trump.

“The left has taken over the Democrat Party. They have Trumpitis; anything to do with President Trump, they want to be against it as well. Their hatred for Donald Trump is so strong they’re willing to shut down the government at the expense of the American people as well,” he said on Greg Kelly Reports.

Marshall warned that the spectacle is less about policy and more about Schumer’s love of attention.

“I think that Chuck Schumer has a drama plan, probably to keep the government shut down over the weekend and to appease his base, and suddenly he’ll see the light next week, hopefully before anybody misses their paychecks as well. But I think he wants the drama. He loves the camera,” Marshall said.

He concluded that the American people are not fooled by the theatrics:

“He’ll be in front of the camera all weekend, stirring things up as well. But I think that at the end of the day, the American public knows that this shutdown is resting on Chuck Schumer’s shoulders.”

Bottom Line

With bipartisan frustration mounting and the “Schumer Shutdown” narrative spreading, the Democratic leader may find that his gamble to satisfy the radical left could cost his party dearly — and cement his own political downfall.