David Axelrod, former senior adviser to President Barack Obama, guessed that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York may not be the leader of the party in 2027 amid frustrations due to the ongoing federal government shutdown and ahead of midterm elections.
Newsweek reached out to Schumer’s office via email Monday night for comment.
Why It Matters
Schumer’s leadership potentially stands on uncertain ground following a record-breaking government shutdown and public criticism from members within his own party.
The shutdown has disrupted federal operations, delayed pay for hundreds of thousands of workers, and put critical programs at risk. Inside the Democratic Party, the decision by eight senators to back a Republican-led deal on Monday night—and Schumer’s inability to prevent the split—has exposed deep divisions over legislative priorities and strategy as lawmakers approach the 2026 midterm elections.
The controversy highlights the fragility of party unity at a moment when government funding and healthcare policy are central issues.
What To Know
The Senate passed a temporary funding bill to end the United States’ longest-ever government shutdown. The bill, supported by numerous Democratic senators alongside Republicans, secured enough votes for passage, sending the legislation to the House. Schumer, who voted against the package, had pressed for a guarantee on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, a Democratic demand that was ultimately not met in the deal.
While speaking on CNN with Anderson Cooper amid the Senate vote on the funding package, Axelrod was asked if he thought Schumer was in “trouble” with left-leaning members of the party.
“I think he’s been in trouble,” Axelrod said. “I think he is in bigger trouble now. I honestly, I think Senator Schumer’s been there since 1982.” Schumer was first elected to Congress in 1981. “My guess is that he won’t be leader of the party in 2027 after this election unless something really surprising happens,” he said.
Axelrod added that he thinks the Democrats had internal problems before sweeping election victories last week but unified around a bigger “concern”–Donald Trump.
“And I think one of the problems Republicans have to consider now is Democrats did do a very good job of shining a bright light on this Affordable Care Act issue and the general issue of health care costs,” Axelrod continued. “And now Republicans were steadfast in opposing a solution to it. Maybe they’ll change their mind. But this is a heavy burden for them to carry… into the midterm elections.”
What People Are Saying
Schumer on X on Monday before the vote in the Senate: “I will not support the Republican bill that’s on the Senate floor because it fails to do anything of substance to fix America’s healthcare crisis.”
Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who voted alongside Republicans on Monday night: “.@SenMcCormickPA and I voted to REOPEN our government. Feed everyone. Pay our military, government workers, and Capitol Police. End the chaos in airports. Country over party.”
What Happens Next
The Senate-passed funding bill would keep the government open through late January if also approved by the House and signed into law by President Donald Trump.
