A major fracture inside the Democratic Party erupted this week after several Democrats broke ranks to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
Their move immediately triggered a wave of outrage from the party’s radical left — including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who questioned whether the 43-day shutdown “was worth it.”
This internal meltdown highlights what many conservatives have warned for years: Democrats are no longer a unified party. They are now split between aging establishment politicians and an aggressive far-left faction demanding more control, more spending, and more government intervention.
Progressives Accuse Schumer of ‘Surrendering’ to President Trump
The backlash grew quickly as progressive activists accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of caving to President Donald Trump and giving up “leverage” without securing the left’s prized healthcare concessions.
Ocasio-Cortez complained that Democrats failed to “hold the line,” claiming the shutdown did nothing to protect Obamacare subsidies or expand government healthcare programs.
She argued federal workers missed paychecks “for nothing,” and criticized Democratic leadership for what she called “cowardice.”
Far-Left Candidates Lash Out at Their Own Party
The anger was especially intense among Democrats running in 2026.
Aftyn Behn — the Tennessee candidate dubbed the “AOC of TN” — blasted veteran Democrats as “career politicians” who surrendered without extracting promises from House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.
Saikat Chakrabarti, AOC’s former chief of staff and now a candidate in Nancy Pelosi’s district, went even further. He demanded that Schumer and other leaders step down or be primaried, saying Democrats “caved to Trump” after 40 days of posturing.
And in Michigan, progressive Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed — a fierce Medicare for All advocate — attacked Democrats for abandoning their healthcare push, insisting the shutdown should have been used to expand government-run healthcare even further.
The Progressive Wing Pushes for More Power and Bigger Government
The radical left’s message was clear: Ending the shutdown wasn’t enough — they want more power and more control.
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani warned Democrats not to accept the bipartisan deal, claiming it would “dramatically hike healthcare premiums” and worsen affordability for working families.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said Schumer is “no longer effective” because he didn’t secure new spending or expanded subsidies.
The anger spilled over even further as the Squad stepped in:
- Rep. Ilhan Omar called the agreement a “betrayal of working people.”
- Sen. Bernie Sanders accused President Trump of being willing to “let children go hungry.”
- Ocasio-Cortez claimed the deal represents a “failure of the Democratic Party as a whole.”
Even as millions of Americans faced rising healthcare premiums and SNAP funding expired on Nov. 1, the progressive wing insisted the shutdown should have continued until Democrats secured new taxpayer-funded benefits.
Democrats Blame Trump — but Their Internal War Is Front and Center
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries tried shifting blame to Republicans, accusing President Trump of taking a “my way or the highway” approach in negotiations.
But even Democrats admitted the shutdown ended without the healthcare victories they promised voters.
Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Ala., said he supported the shutdown because “fighting for government-run healthcare is worth it,” citing Alabama’s low life expectancy.
His comments underscored the growing divide: Half the party wants more government control, and the other half is tired of the political fallout.
A Fractured Party Under Trump’s Second Term
While the shutdown is over, the political battle inside the Democratic Party is only beginning.
With President Trump back in the White House, progressives are openly challenging their own leadership and demanding sweeping government expansions.
And as the Squad continues pushing the party further left, more moderate Democrats are struggling to keep up.
The result is a Democratic Party increasingly defined by frustration, infighting, and a radical agenda that many older Americans — including lifelong Democrats — no longer recognize.
