Johnson Accuses Democrats of Holding Govt Hostage Until Left-Wing Rally

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R‑La.) lashed out Friday against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D‑N.Y.), accusing him of intentionally dragging out the government shutdown until after a progressive rally in Washington, D.C. Johnson claimed that Democratic leaders are refusing to reopen the government until a planned “No Kings” event on October 18 passes—ostensibly to mollify their left-wing base.

In an appearance on Fox & Friends, Johnson said Republicans have received intelligence suggesting Democratic strategists are tying passage of emergency funding to the timing of the rally. His tone was sharply critical.

“I’m normally a patient guy, but I have HAD it with these people. They’re playing games with real people’s lives,” Johnson declared.

He added that the rally is being characterized as a “Hate America” event, bringing together “Pro‑Hamas, Antifa people,” and that “House Democrats [are] selling T-shirts for the event.” Johnson asserted that Democrats believe they can’t vote to reopen until after the rally because they can’t risk alienating their “rabid base.”

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Schumer Says Shutdown Is “Getting Better” for Democrats

Johnson’s allegations followed reported remarks by Schumer in which he claimed the shutdown was benefiting his party. In a conversation with Punchbowl News, Schumer reportedly said, “Every day gets better for us,” arguing that Democrats had anticipated the political effects and crafted their messaging around the shutdown.

Schumer also suggested that his party had “long prepared” for the fallout of a shutdown, with healthcare messaging preplanned for September 30, according to Fox News’ account of the interview. These comments drew swift rebuke from the White House and congressional Republicans.

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White House Fires Back

The Trump White House responded sharply to Schumer’s “every day gets better” remark, accusing him of relish in the suffering of working Americans. Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital:

“Chuck Schumer just said the quiet part out loud: Democrats are gleefully inflicting pain on the American people over their push to give illegal aliens free health care. Workers are missing paychecks; travelers are missing flights; businesses are struggling; military families are forced to rely on food pantries—but to Chuck Schumer, that means ‘every day gets better.’”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed Jackson’s criticism on X, slamming Schumer’s remark as “disgusting and revealing” and arguing that Democrats are celebrated the economic pain:

“While federal workers stress over missed paychecks, military families turn to food pantries, and airports face delays,” Leavitt posted, “Chuck Schumer and the Democrats are bragging that ‘every day gets better’ for them. What a disgusting and revealing statement.”

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The Political Stakes Grow

As the shutdown enters its third week, the stakes for all sides continue rising. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees are furloughed or working without pay, services are delayed or scaled back, and agencies face acute budget constraints. Many wonder whether Schumer’s posture is a calculated political gamble, or evidence of fractured discipline within the Democratic caucus.

Johnson and other Republicans place blame squarely on Schumer, accusing him of appeasing the left flank of the party, including high-profile voices like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez (D‑N.Y.). Rumors are swirling of a possible primary challenge against Schumer in 2026—factors that may be shaping his stance.

President Trump also weighed in during a Cabinet meeting, railing against Schumer and House Democrats for “holding the entire federal government hostage.” He suggested Schumer is motivated by fears of a primary challenge from AOC and expressed skepticism about the Democratic leader’s tenure.

“Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries and the Congressional Democrats are holding the entire federal government hostage,” Trump said. “He’s terrified AOC is going to run against him … His numbers are terrible — I don’t think he makes it another term.”

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Defense from Schumer’s Camp

Schumer’s office pushed back against Johnson’s narrative. In a statement to Fox News Digital, they shared an excerpt from his Senate floor remarks in which he placed responsibility for the shutdown on Republicans. His defense emphasized that Democrats were not in control of the process and argued that Republicans were prioritizing political tactics over governance.

At this point, neither Johnson’s claims about the rally nor Schumer’s remarks have been independently verified. The rally, which has drawn controversy, remains scheduled for October 18. Whether Democrats will hold to Johnson’s timeline—and whether Schumer truly intends to delay reopening the government until after the rally—is unclear.