Sanders challenges Schumer’s leadership over policy and strategy

In an interview Wednesday with John Nichols, executive director of The Nation, Sanders (I-Vt.) said Schumer was “not in tune with where his constituents are at.” He argued the New York Democrat’s approach amounts to wanting to “tinker around the edges.”

Sanders singled out Schumer’s continued support for US military aid to Israel, saying the United States should not provide “another nickel” in weapons assistance. The article describes Sanders as acknowledging that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, as determined by a UN commission of inquiry and other experts. Sanders also questioned whether Schumer would back a billionaire wealth tax to fund universal childcare, tuition-free public colleges and affordable housing.

He criticized Schumer for not meaningfully confronting the power of technology executives and the expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers. Schumer’s decision last year to help advance a Republican government funding bill had already drawn backlash from progressives, who said he gave up Democrats’ leverage and called for him to resign.

Van Hollen (D-Md.) has emerged as a possible challenger, and Sanders said he would support him. Van Hollen has urged colleagues not to give Schumer a “blank check” without commitments to an ambitious economic program. “It’s not a time for incrementalism,” he said recently, calling instead for a “very bold kitchen table agenda.”

Schumer, for his part, told The Washington Sun on Wednesday: “I am going to be elected leader, OK, and we’re united on the issues.” He said Democrats were united on “costs and chaos.”