AOC big mad at Schumer for caving on shutdown - talk of primary challenge builds

Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is big mad after Chuck Schumer caved to Republicans to avoid a government shutdown, and buzz about the Squad member running to take his seat is building.

“Just to see Senate Democrats even consider acquiescing to Elon Musk, I think is a huge slap in the face,” AOC said Thursday night.

“I think there is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal,” she told reporters on Thursday.

AOC says of Schumer’s “acquiesce:”

“I think there is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal,” she said at Dem retreat, per @sarahnferris. She said she and her fellow Democrats are “texting, calling, sending carrier pigeons,” to mobilize the Democratic base against Schumer’s plan…

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 14, 2025

The Socialist Democrat was tight-lipped when asked about needing new Democrat leadership but believes there’s still time to fight the Republican bill.

“We have time to correct course on this decision. Senate Democrats can vote no. We can correct course, and that is the most important thing in front of us right now,” AOC said before ripping into her Dem colleagues.

“There are members of Congress who have won Trump-held districts in some of the most difficult territory in the United States who walked the plank and took innumerable risks in order to defend the American people, in order to defend Social Security and Medicaid and Medicare,” she told reporters. “Just to see Senate Democrats even consider acquiescing to Elon Musk, I think is a huge slap in the face. And I think there is a wide sense of betrayal if things proceed as currently planned.”

Behind closed doors, however, furious progressive Democrats are urging Ocasio-Cortez to primary Schumer after his decision, according to CNN.

Later CNN host Chuck Todd raised the question to AOC on air: “What do you think of the job Chuck Schumer’s doing? Would you ever challenge him?” he asked.

AOC dodged the question and launched into more Trump and Musk attacks, but the idea of the young “progressive” running for Schumer’s seat had X buzzing:

AOC is big mad at Chuck Schumer over caving on the CR — asked if she will ever try to challenge Schumer.

She dodges the question.pic.twitter.com/jLWnEjedeb

— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) March 14, 2025

Some believe AOC rising to the top of the Dem crop isn’t such a bad thing — for Republicans.

What’s great about her is she is most likely the “young and upcoming” face of the Democratic Party.

Even my liberal friends can’t stand “the squad”.

IMO this just means more votes for conservatives in the future.

— Musk Derangement Syndrome_MDS (@MuskDSyndrome) March 14, 2025

I would love to see her run against Chuck for that seat.

— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) March 14, 2025

Others suspect it’s just political bluster:

She’ll wait in the wings and run for Senate when/if Chuck retires/expires.

I don’t think she ever tries to primary Chuck.

— Brick Suit (@Brick_Suit) March 14, 2025