Thune Predicts Democrat Mutiny As Schumer Faces Revolt Over Shutdown

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Tuesday he expects Democrats to break ranks with their leadership and join Republicans to reopen the federal government as early as Wednesday.

Speaking with Fox News host Jesse Watters, Thune argued that many Senate Democrats recognize that Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has led them into a political dead end by prioritizing the far-left base over governing.

“I honestly, you know, I think there are a lot of them over there who know that their leadership is walking them off the cliff and really want to do something other than follow the leader,” Thune said.

Schumer’s Far-Left Problem

Thune emphasized that Schumer’s actions are being dictated by radical activists and progressive members like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), leaving moderate Democrats trapped.

“They’re trying to save face with the base and blow the government up,” Thune said. “And when they eventually come around, which they have to do, what’s the base going to say then?”

He described Schumer as politically cornered: “If you’re Chuck Schumer, you know, you’re just you’re kind of in a box canyon right now with nowhere to go. Their backs against the wall. But I’m hoping there are enough reasonable Democrats over there… we’re going to vote on it again tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll pick up some more and eventually we’ll get enough to pass this thing in the Senate and keep the government open.”

Thune stressed that Republicans already passed a clean, straightforward funding bill, but Democrats blocked it twice. “This was all unnecessary. This was all done to satisfy their left political base and Schumer’s fear,” he said.

The Trump Factor

The shutdown fight also intersects with President Donald Trump’s messaging. Trump recently shared an AI-generated video showing House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) wearing a sombrero, framing him as willing to shut down the government to prioritize health care for illegal immigrants over Americans.

The lighthearted but pointed video sparked outrage from Democrats and liberal media outlets. On MSNBC, host Lawrence O’Donnell pressed Jeffries about it.

“It’s a disgusting video. And we’re going to continue to make clear that bigotry will get you nowhere. We are fighting to protect the health care of the American people in the face of an unprecedented Republican assault on all the things, Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act,” Jeffries said.

But conservatives argue Democrats are fighting to preserve taxpayer-funded health care for illegal immigrants — at the expense of citizens.

Cracks in the Democratic Wall

Thune noted that three Senate Democrats already crossed the aisle to support the GOP’s stopgap measure, and he expects more defections as pressure mounts.

“What you’re seeing every day in the Senate is [Schumer’s] reactions… in this case, shutting down the government. It’s up to the Democrats,” Thune said. “This is our bill. It’s very straightforward. Funds the government and avoids a shutdown. And now they’ve blocked it on two votes. We’re going to have another vote tomorrow… But I think people are going to start cracking because they’re going to realize this is a losing hand.”

For Republicans, the narrative is clear: the “Schumer Shutdown” is a political stunt designed to appease the radical left — but one that risks alienating the American people and dividing Democrats.