Republicans Torch Schumer For Keeping Govt Closed Until Dems Oct. 18 Rally
Both Republicans and Democrats are now voicing frustration with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), following reports that he intends to keep the federal government shut down until after a far-left “No Kings” rally scheduled for October 18 in Washington, D.C.
Two senior members of President Donald J. Trump’s Cabinet confirmed the allegations, suggesting Democrats are deliberately prolonging the shutdown to accommodate the protests — which have drawn support from Antifa-aligned and progressive activist groups.
“‘No Kings’ means no paychecks, no paychecks and no government,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, warning that the left-wing rally has become a political excuse to stall governance.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Fox News that the protests are being organized by professional agitators.
“Millions of attendees will be part of Antifa, paid protesters. It begs the question — who’s funding it?” Duffy said.
He added that the Democratic leadership appears to be taking cues from the activist base rather than working to resolve the fiscal standoff.
“Democrats want to wait for a big rally of a No Kings protest when the bottom line is, who is running the show in the Senate? Chuck Schumer’s not running the show. The No Kings protesters or organizers are running the show,” Duffy said.
Several House Republicans echoed those concerns on October 10, describing the planned demonstrations as “hate America rallies” and accusing Democrats of prioritizing activist optics over Americans’ livelihoods.
The shutdown, now in its second week, has already disrupted federal operations and delayed paychecks for thousands of government workers.
Amid the growing backlash, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) broke with his party, calling Democrats’ strategy “the wrong message.”
“Shutting our government down — that’s the wrong message for the world, for Americans as well,” Fetterman said. “It’s not about a blame game. It’s about opening this government, having this conversation, and literally let’s address these kinds of healthcare issues as well.”
Fetterman, who has criticized shutdowns under both parties, said he “will never support” using government closures as political leverage.
“Really, the losers are these poor Americans here that are going to get caught in the middle of this thing,” he said, urging both sides to reopen the government and negotiate in good faith.
Fetterman joined Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.) and Independent Sen. Angus King (Maine) in voting for a Republican-backed stopgap funding bill aimed at restoring federal operations. The measure fell five votes short of the 60-vote threshold required to advance.
Republicans have labeled the crisis the “Schumer Shutdown”, arguing that Democrats are holding the country hostage to satisfy the party’s radical fringe. Democrats, for their part, continue to demand an extension of Obamacare tax credits before approving any temporary funding measure — a demand the White House says amounts to “policy ransom.”
As the standoff drags on, pressure is mounting on Schumer and Senate Democrats to put the needs of working Americans ahead of political theater.