Democrats are in disarray as Senate leader Chuck Schumer faces fierce backlash from his own party. Schumer’s decision to back a GOP spending bill to avoid a government shutdown has sparked fury among progressives, who accuse him of surrendering to President Trump’s agenda. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders are doubling down on efforts to block Trump’s immigration crackdown, even as polls show voter approval cratering over their obstructionism.
The longtime New York senator, now labeled “feckless” by critics, is being blamed for greenlighting Trump’s ability to dismantle federal agencies through budget cuts. Calls are growing for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to primary Schumer, with strategists slamming his move as an “embarrassing strategic blunder”. While Schumer claims he prevented further chaos by avoiding a shutdown, detractors argue he handed Trump a win instead of fighting.
Democrats are deploying every tool to thwart Trump’s plan for mass removals:
– Senate Judiciary Democrats decried using federal prisons to detain immigrants, calling the facilities unsafe and understaffed
– California lawmakers proposed new data privacy laws to stop ICE from tracking immigrants through phone locations
– Attorneys general in blue states preemptively threatened lawsuits over potential military involvement in deportations
– Wisconsin Assembly Democrats vowed to redirect state funds toward legal help for detained immigrants
The internal rift highlights a deeper crisis:
– Establishment Democrats like Schumer cling to old playbooks about compromise and electability
– Progressive activists demand total resistance to Trump, even if it means gridlock
– Moderates worry the anti-deportation push appears soft on crime, especially regarding violent gang members
As Democrats squabble, Trump’s team is mobilizing. Former ICE Director Tom Homan has promised “historic” raids, while Stephen Miller eyes workarounds to deploy National Guard troops for immigration enforcement. With Schumer’s approval ratings tanking and the party’s base fractured, the GOP smells blood in the water ahead of 2026 midterms.
