JD Vance blames Chuck Schumer’s fear of AOC primary challenge for govt shutdown

JD Vance accused Chuck Schumer of listening to far-left radicals, saying the shutdown happened because he feared a primary challenge
PUBLISHED OCT 2, 2025
JD Vance blamed Chuck Schumer for the government shutdown, alleging he feared a primary challenge from Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Getty Images)
JD Vance blamed Chuck Schumer for the government shutdown, alleging he feared a primary challenge from Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance directly blamed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for the government shutdown, claiming the New York Democrat chose to follow far-left members of the Democratic Party.

Speaking at a White House press briefing, Vance argued that Schumer’s political calculations were driven by fears of a primary challenge from progressive firebrand Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC).

“The reality here, and let’s be honest about the politics, is that Chuck Schumer is terrified he’s going to get a primary challenge from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,” Vance said.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks following a meeting with Congressional Democrats and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on September 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. Congressional leaders met with President Trump to negotiate funding legislation to avoid a government shutdown. Vance was accompanied by (L-R) Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks following a meeting with Congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump at the White House on September 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. Congressional leaders met with President Trump to negotiate funding legislation to avoid a government shutdown. Vance was accompanied by Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

JD Vance blames Chuck Schumer wing for government shutdown 

Vance accused Schumer of listening to far-left radicals in his party. “The reason why the American people’s government is shut down is because Chuck Schumer is listening to the far-left radicals in his own party because he’s terrified of a primary challenge.”

Vance sharpened his attack, saying the consequences of the shutdown would be borne by ordinary Americans.

“Our troops are not getting paid starting today because of the Chuck Schumer wing of the Democratic Party,” he said.

“We have people who require food assistance, low-income Americans who require food assistance, who will not get it unless we reopen the government, thanks to Chuck Schumer and his wing of the Democratic Party.”

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) (C) talks to reporters following the weekly Senate Democratic policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on September 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. If lawmakers fail to reach a bipartisan compromise then the federal government will shutdown at midnight. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) talks to reporters following the weekly Senate Democratic policy luncheon at the US Capitol on September 30, 2025 in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

He added that disaster preparedness was also at risk. “We have flood insurance as we start hurricane season in the southeastern part of our country. That flood insurance is going to disappear because of Chuck Schumer and the far left of the Democratic Party.”

JD Vance accuses Democrats of pushing illegal immigrant healthcare

The Vice President also accused Democrats of using the shutdown to push for the reinstatement of Biden-era emergency healthcare funding for illegal immigrants, which had been cut under President Donald Trump.

“So, I’d invite Chuck Schumer to join the moderate Democrats and 52 Senate Republicans, do the right thing, open up the people’s government and then let’s fix health care policy for the American people,” Vance said.

Karoline Leavitt pushes Democrats to 'do the right thing' as shutdown crisis deepens

Later in the briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt​was asked about Vance’s remarks targeting Schumer and Ocasio-Cortez. She acknowledged Schumer’s struggle to unify his caucus.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 17: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calls on reporters during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on March 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. Leavitt talked about U.S. airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemin, the deportation of Venezuelans to El Salvador and whether the Trump administration will conform with federal judges' orders. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calls on reporters during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on March 17, 2025 in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“I think that certainly Sen Schumer was not expecting three moderates to break with him last night,” Leavitt said. “In fact, last night you heard Sen Schumer say he can’t guarantee that he will be able to hold his caucus together.”

Leavitt added that the White House is encouraging Democrats to “have the courage to do the right thing” and vote for the resolution to restore government funding.

The federal government entered a partial shutdown after Democrats and Republicans failed to reach a funding agreement.

Schumer warned Tuesday, September 30, that President Trump and Republican leaders will soon face mounting public pressure to end the government shutdown.

Schumer accused the GOP of driving the country toward crisis by stonewalling last-minute negotiations. He insisted that Democrats were ready to make a deal, but were met with resistance from the Republican side.

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