Youth organizations slam Schumer's leadership: 'Fight for us or step aside'

A coalition of progressive young voter groups this week blasted Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), calling for the party to "change course now" and take a stronger stance against the Trump administration.

"Chuck Schumer, your leadership is failing to meet the moment," reads the letter, titled "Gen Z to Schumer: Fight for Us or Step Aside," after he and nine other Senate Democrats joined with Republicans to move a GOP-crafted bill to advance a government-funding measure last week.

The letter called the move "just the latest example of how you and other Democratic leaders are driving young people away from the Democratic Party.” It was signed by organizers from Sunrise Movement, College Democrats of America, Gen Z Against Trump, United We Dream Action and Voters of Tomorrow.

"Instead of taking a stand against Trump’s illegal actions to gut our healthcare, dismantle public education, attack immigrants and trans people, and tear up climate action, you supported a budget that gave tax cuts to Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and their billionaire buddies. You sided against us."

The Schumer callout comes as the Senate Democrat faces frustration from within his party over his support of the GOP funding bill. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) suggested "it may be time for Senate Democrats to choose a new leader," among other voices who are raising questions about his future amid the party infighting.

But Schumer has defended his vote and his status in leadership.

"I thought I did the thing a leader should do. Even when people don’t see the danger around the curve, my job was to alert people to it, and I knew I’d get some bullets," he told "CBS Mornings" this week, adding "I’m the best leader for the Senate."

Young voters helped boost former President Biden to victory in 2020, and while they favored former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, she underperformed with the demographic as turnout dropped and some shifted to the right.

Now, as Democrats soul-search in the wake of the party’s November losses, liberal young voter groups are urging party leaders to take a stronger stance against Trump’s barrage of executive action and crackdown on the federal government or risk losing more ground with the bloc.

“Obstruct the MAGA agenda with every tool you have,” the letter demanded, along with directives to “prove you’re on our side” and “give us something to vote for.” The youth groups that signed the letter all notably supported Harris in 2024.

“If Democrats don’t change course now, you will cede even more young and working-class voters in 2026, 2028, and beyond. That would have devastating consequences, not just in 2026 but for generations to come,” the letter continued.

“Democrats, this is your wake-up call. If you refuse to fight for our future, we will find leaders who will. The choice is yours."

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