MSNBC host Symone Sanders Townsend shocked viewers and her fellow panelists by announcing live on air that she’s leaving the Democratic Party to become an Independent, citing frustration with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s decision to support a Republican-led government funding bill.
“I’m p*****,” Sanders Townsend declared bluntly during her show “The Weekend” as she expressed outrage over Schumer’s decision to back the GOP spending bill that averted a government shutdown. “There’s actually little that the Senate Minority Leader can say, and the 10 Democrats that voted with the Republicans can say, to appease somebody like me. I’m going to change my registration to Independent,” a visibly frustrated Sanders Townsend announced.
Her bombshell declaration stunned the panel and signals what many observers describe as a growing fracture within Democratic ranks that could potentially spark a progressive uprising against the party’s establishment figures. Former press secretary for Senator Bernie Sanders and senior advisor to former President Biden and Vice-President Harris, Sanders Townsend voiced strong criticism.
The immediate catalyst for her decision was Schumer’s about-face on the government funding bill. The 74-year-old New York Democrat had initially claimed his caucus was united in opposition to the Trump-backed Republican proposal, but on Thursday announced he would vote to keep the government operational. Ten other Democrats joined him to pass the measure in a 54-46 vote, with President Trump signing it into law on Saturday, March 15.
Sanders Townsend, during a broadcast, paraphrased Rebecca Traister’s Substack, stating that the Democratic Tea Party emerged concurrently with Chuck Schumer’s public announcement of his concession.
Former Democratic Congresswoman Donna Edwards, now an MSNBC analyst, echoed similar frustrations. She criticized Schumer’s handling of the situation, stating that the lack of a clear message, strategy, and leadership resulted in a perceived capitulation to Republicans. She argued that this demonstrated weakness, allowing Republicans to exploit Democratic inconsistencies with predictable success.
Schumer defended his position as the least damaging option available. “It’s much, much better not to be in the middle of a shutdown, which [would] divert people from the number one issue we have against these b*******,” Schumer told MSNBC on Friday before quickly correcting himself, “Sorry, these people.”
He argued that a government shutdown would further empower President Trump and Elon Musk, who is leading the administration’s effort to reduce the federal workforce and close federal agencies. However, this justification has fallen flat with many in his party, particularly among its progressive wing.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez publicly condemned Senate Democrats on social media, accusing them of jeopardizing future cooperation with the House through inaction driven by fear. She asserted their responsibility for subsequent events. This criticism has led some Democrats to privately encourage Ocasio-Cortez to challenge Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a future primary election.
The GOP-led resolution that sparked this intraparty conflict includes significant cuts to non-defense spending, affecting Department of Defense medical research programs, Army Corps of Engineers projects, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s community development, rental assistance, and homelessness services programs. Critics argue it gives the White House more power over federal spending, potentially benefiting Trump and Musk’s agenda.
The backlash against Schumer has been swift and severe. He postponed his book tour amid security concerns after progressive activist groups began organizing protests at his scheduled events. The Indivisible group explicitly called on Schumer to step down as Democratic leader, accusing him of surrendering a rare moment of leverage for Democrats.
Public demonstrations erupted in New York and Washington DC as news of the deal spread. Outside Schumer’s New York City home, more than 100 protesters gathered to denounce his actions, while thousands more flooded Manhattan streets opposing both Trump and what they view as Democratic leadership’s failure to offer meaningful resistance.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries attempted to calm tensions, stating, “Our party is not a cult, we are a coalition. On occasion, we may strongly disagree about a particular course of action.” Meanwhile, Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) told CNN, “I think Senate Democrats have to sit down and take a look and decide whether or not Chuck Schumer is the one to lead in this moment.”
Trump seized the opportunity to gloat over the Democratic discord, posting on his Truth Social platform: “Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing. It took ‘guts’ and courage,” the president wrote.
As Sanders Townsend’s declaration reverberates through political circles, it may represent just the beginning of a larger reckoning within the Democratic Party as it struggles to mount an effective opposition to Trump’s second-term agenda.
