Turmoil continues to rock the Democratic Party in the wake of its sound defeat in 2024, with new infighting and the rise of socialism on the party’s left wing adding to the chaos.
The most recent rift came from Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., who suggested Thursday that it may be time for Democrats to consider new leadership in Congress.
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Her criticisms are raising additional questions about the future of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Speaking on SiriusXM’s “Straight Shooter with Stephen A,” Slotkin said the Democratic Party has not “fully recovered” from its defeat in the 2024 elections and argued that the party needs to reassess its direction following the losses.
Her remarks added to ongoing discussions within the party about its leadership and strategy heading into the midterm elections, the New York Post reported.
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“To me, the lesson was simple. Democrats had too many priorities,” she told the host.
“They tried to make everyone happy and answer every question. When you prioritize everything, no one knows what you actually stand for,” Slotkin added.
Trump, by contrast, had a clear message for Americans.
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“Donald Trump came in with one clear message. He said, ‘I’m going to make your life more affordable. I’m going to put more money in your pocket,’” she told Smith.
“He won because he kept his message simple and focused on the issue Americans cared most about,” she added.
The Michigan Democrat went on to lament that even 18 months after Trump’s victory, “every day there’s a debate within the party about the path forward.”
“That’s why I believe we need significant new leadership,” she said. “The old models are no longer working, and that includes the Democratic Party.”
The senator compared her party to a “circular firing squad” where “everyone is reacting to the crisis, but too few people are talking about what they actually want to accomplish.”
“To me, that’s a fundamental failure of leadership,” she opined.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin suggests it may be time for Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer to step aside. pic.twitter.com/4DhbVnS7Vb
— Political Polls (@PpollingNumbers) June 26, 2026
Smith then pressed Slotkin on whether she believed that Schumer and Jeffries should be replaced.
“I’m saying that if people can’t recognize that the game has fundamentally changed and can’t adapt, then they need to make room for others who can,” she replied, per The Post.
As for Jeffries, he may find himself caught in the very blue wave he hopes to ride into power this November.
More and more Democratic candidates are telling Axios that they can’t promise to support his leadership.
It’s a big change from Jeffries’ once “untouchable” position in the Democratic Party just a few years ago. This could mean his path to the speakership will be harder than people thought.
Jeffries and his supporters say they aren’t worried at all about a mass defection. They point out that he hasn’t lost a Democratic vote in 20 speakers’ ballots, even though he is in the minority.
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However, the group of new socialist candidates could potentially be the first challenge to the previously unyielding support.
Axios reported that more than 80 Democratic House candidates across the country were either not sure if they would support Jeffries’ leadership or were completely against it.
The tension was on display in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. Democrat nominee Rebecca Bennett, who likely needs to beat Rep. Tom Kean (R-NJ) if Democrats have any shot at the majority, refused to commit to voting for Jeffries before her primary win.
Likewise, Iowa’s 1st congressional Democratic nominee Christina Bohannan is also noncommittal, merely responding “I don’t know yet. I haven’t made that decision,” when asked by Punchbowl News if she would support Jeffries.
“I want to get elected first,” she continued.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has classified both Bohannah and Bennett’s districts as toss-ups.
Republicans currently hold both seats.
Montana’s 1st congressional Democratic nominee Sam Forstag echoed similar sentiments as Bohannan.
Forstag sits in a seat labeled “likely Republican,” but has no incumbent running.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
