Summary of "The Weekend Democrats Went to War — Against Each Other"

Published on March 17, 2025 | Hosted by Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise | The New York Times' "The Daily"

Introduction

In the March 17th episode of The Daily, host Shane Goldmacher and reporter Katie Edmondson delve into a significant internal conflict within the Democratic Party. Titled "The Weekend Democrats Went to War — Against Each Other," the episode explores how a routine debate over government funding escalated into a fierce showdown, revealing deep divisions about the party's strategy and leadership in opposing President Donald Trump's aggressive administration.

Background: Struggle Against the Trump Administration

Following President Trump's second inauguration, Democrats have grappled with how to effectively counter his administration's strategies, which include large-scale firing of government workers and agency shutdowns. This prolonged internal debate was simmering beneath the surface until it erupted publicly over the weekend, centering around Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's approach.

The Trigger: Government Funding Showdown

The immediate catalyst for the conflict was a government funding deadline. Traditionally, Democrats play a pivotal role in preventing government shutdowns, often collaborating with Republicans to pass necessary spending bills. However, this time marked a deviation:

• Republican Unity: Unlike previous instances where funding debates often saw Republican divisions, House Republicans unified around Speaker Mike Johnson's exclusively Republican-written spending bill. This bill aimed to prevent a shutdown without Democratic input, which alarmed Democrats who viewed it as empowering the Trump administration by providing broad discretionary funds without stringent spending restrictions.

• Democratic Opposition: "This bill creates a lot of slush funds for the administration to use however they want," Katie Edmondson explains (05:55).

Democrats sharply opposed the bill, leading to outrage within the party as it circumvented traditional bipartisan cooperation.

Leadership Under Fire: Chuck Schumer's Decision

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer made a pivotal decision to support the Republican-led spending bill, reversing earlier Democratic resistance. This move ignited backlash from various corners of the Democratic Party.

• Call for Resignation: The liberal activist group Indivisible called for Schumer to step down, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction.

• House Reactions: Remarkably, even in the House of Representatives, Democratic leaders like Representative Hakeem Jeffries refrained from explicitly supporting Schumer, creating a public fissure. When pressed, Jeffries consistently deflected questions about his confidence in Schumer (03:22), culminating in significant tension between party leaders.

• Katie Edmondson Highlights: "This is the moment when a lot of Democratic heads explode," Katie Edmondson remarks (11:09).

Consequences of Schumer's Decision

Schumer's reversal led to a stark split within the Senate Democratic caucus:

• Vote Breakdown: On the floor, only nine Democratic senators joined Schumer in supporting the bill, while the majority opposed it, effectively blocking the spending legislation.

• Public Outcry: High-profile Democrats, including Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, publicly criticized Schumer, labeling his decision a "tremendous mistake" (12:06).

• Fear of Empowering Trump: "Shutting down the government would actually empower the Trump administration," Katie explains, highlighting concerns that the administration would gain more control over federal workforce decisions and potentially prolonging shutdowns (08:34).

Comparisons to the Tea Party Movement

Hakeem Jeffries draws parallels between the current Democratic unrest and the Tea Party movement that emerged during Barack Obama's presidency:

• Tea Party Origins: The Tea Party was characterized by significant anti-government sentiment, with Republicans pushing aggressive tactics like government shutdowns to oppose Obama's policies.

• Democratic Parallel: Jeffries suggests that younger Democrats are exhibiting similar frustration and a desire for more proactive and aggressive strategies to oppose Trump, potentially mirroring the Tea Party's insurgent approach (17:59).

• Generational Divide: A new generation of Democrats, often serving five terms or fewer, feel disconnected from the older leadership and are pushing for a more dynamic and confrontational stance against the administration’s policies (23:01).

Future Implications: Potential Shift in Democratic Strategy

The episode explores the potential long-term impacts of this internal conflict:

• Primary Challenges: The growing dissatisfaction among younger Democrats may lead to primary challenges against established leaders, altering the party’s landscape in upcoming elections.

• Strategic Realignment: There's an emerging call for the Democratic Party to move beyond simply opposing the status quo and to present a clear, proactive agenda that addresses voters' frustrations with economic challenges and governance.

• Vision for Change: "We need bigger and bolder ideas," Jeffries asserts, emphasizing the need for the party to redefine its approach to governance rather than just opposing Trump (25:24).

Conclusion: A Defining Moment for the Democratic Party

The episode underscores that the weekend's events could mark a pivotal moment for the Democratic Party, potentially reshaping its strategies and leadership dynamics. The visible anger and calls for change signal a possible shift towards a more insurgent and proactive party stance, aiming to better align with the evolving sentiments of its base.

Notable Quotes

• Katie Edmondson (05:55): "This bill creates a lot of slush funds for the administration to use however they want."

• Hakeem Jeffries (07:10): "Our caucus is unified on a clean CR that will keep the government open and give Congress time to negotiate bipartisan legislation that can pass."

• Katie Edmondson (11:09): "This is the moment when a lot of Democratic heads explode."

• Hakeem Jeffries (17:39): "For years and years, it's been the Republican voters who have been angry and they've been angry at their own party and they've been angry at the Democratic Party. And for the first time in many years, Democrats are describing that same kind of anger."

• Shane Goldmacher (12:06): "I believe that's a tremendous mistake."

• Hakeem Jeffries (25:24): "We need bigger and bolder ideas."

Timestamps Reference

• 05:55 - Democratic opposition to the spending bill.
• 07:10 - Jeffries on bipartisan efforts.
• 11:09 - Reaction to Schumer’s decision.
• 12:06 - Criticism of Schumer by AOC.
• 17:39 - Jeffries on Democratic anger paralleling Tea Party.
• 25:24 - Jeffries on the need for bold ideas within the Democratic Party.

This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting the key points, discussions, and insights shared by Katie Edmondson, Shane Goldmacher, and Hakeem Jeffries. It provides an engaging overview for listeners who may not have tuned in to the original podcast.