Tensions escalated among top Democratic leaders on Friday when former Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized Senate Leader Chuck Schumer for his handling of the Republican continuing resolution (CR). Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries chose not to address speculation about his leadership.
Pelosi’s pointed comments and Jeffries’ silence underscore their disappointment with Schumer’s decisions and their shared stance in favor of avoiding a government shutdown.
Pelosi, a representative from California, expressed her concerns, stating, “America has experienced a Trump shutdown before — but this damaging legislation only makes matters worse. Democrats must not buy into this false choice. We must fight back for a better way. Listen to the women, For The People.”
The presumption is that, by contrast, Schumer did “buy into this false choice.” It’s also a shot at Schumer, implying that women in Congress are the true leaders on this matter.
Donald Trump and Elon Musk have offered the Congress a false choice between a government shutdown or a blank check that makes a devastating assault on the well-being of working families across America.
Let’s be clear: neither is a good option for the American people. But this…
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) March 14, 2025
Pelosi also posted to X lauding Jeffries for “his courageous rejection of this false choice” and praising House Democrats “for their overwhelming vote against this bill.”
Jeffries kept his colleagues in line, with only one Democrat – Rep. Jared Golden of Maine – voting against Speaker Mike Johnson’s six-month bill earlier this week.
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Meanwhile, Jeffries was asked about Schumer’s potential leadership in the future but offered no comment.
“Next question,” he told reporters when asked if there should be new leadership in the Senate.
Reporter: “Is it time for new leadership in the Senate?”
Jeffries: “Next question” 🤣 pic.twitter.com/zAwx5W9omE
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) March 14, 2025
There’s very little ambiguity there. Dodging a question about new leadership in the Senate clearly indicates that he believes Schumer signed his political death warrant by caving on the CR.
The remarkable level of disarray and infighting in the Democratic party has been simmering for a while, but Schumer’s offer to go along with the CR and temporarily keep the government open appears to have been a bridge too far for some.
“I believe it is my job to make the best choice for the country, to minimize the harms to the American people,” Schumer announced. “Therefore, I will vote to keep the government open and not shut it down.”
🚨 This must be HUMILIATING for Chuck Schumer!
“I believe it is my job to make the best choice for the country, to minimize the harms to the American people. Therefore, I will vote to keep the government open and not shut it down.” pic.twitter.com/BoA9JWVqtP
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 13, 2025
President Trump added fuel to the fire, praising the senior senator from New York for his decision.
“Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing,” he wrote on Truth Social. “Took ‘guts’ and courage!”
Having watched Democrats work in lockstep for at least eight years, it’s quite a sight to see them fall apart over a relatively mundane CR issue.
