During a CNN town hall on Wednesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., grew frustrated with a Republican attendee’s question about Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s leadership in the ongoing government shutdown. The town hall, featuring Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., focused on the consequences and negotiations surrounding the federal shutdown.
What Happened
The question came from American University student Rohan Naval, a Republican, who asked Sanders how he viewed Schumer’s leadership amid the shutdown. Sanders quickly redirected criticism toward House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump, emphasizing their role in the impasse.
“Well, I think it reflects more on Mike Johnson‘s leadership and President Trump‘s leadership,” Sanders said, later adding pointed questions about tax breaks for the wealthy versus cuts to healthcare for working-class Americans. Naval countered, noting that Schumer has supported continuing resolutions 13 times over the last four years and questioned why he wasn’t negotiating a new one.
Sanders responded by pointing to the Senate dynamics: “Look, there are 53 Republicans in the Senate, correct? They need 60. What does that mean? It means you have to talk to the other side. Mike Johnson is not talking. John Thune is not talking. President Trump is not talking. That is the problem.”
Background of the Case
Republicans have blamed Schumer for the shutdown, claiming it is a political maneuver to appease progressive Democrats. Last week, Schumer reportedly told Punchbowl News, “Every day gets better for us… Their whole theory was — threaten us, bamboozle us, and we would submit in a day or two.”
White House officials sharply criticized Schumer’s comments, with Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson claiming Democrats were “gleefully inflicting pain on the American people over their push to give illegal aliens free healthcare.”
Public and Social Media Reactions
The town hall segment quickly gained attention online, with users debating responsibility for the shutdown and pointing to differing narratives on both sides of the aisle. Supporters of Sanders praised him for addressing systemic gridlock, while critics argued he deflected responsibility from Democratic leadership.
Official Statements or What Happens Next
Sanders’ office emphasized the need for bipartisan negotiation, highlighting the requirement of 60 votes to pass legislation in the Senate. Meanwhile, Schumer’s remarks and the White House response continue to fuel partisan tensions, with discussions likely to intensify as the shutdown continues and its impacts on government employees and services grow.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
The post Sen. Bernie Sanders Pushes Back at Republican Town Hall Question on Schumer Amid Government Shutdown first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
