House Speaker Mike Johnson (R‑La.) sharply accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D‑N.Y.) of intentionally prolonging the federal government shutdown to appease the far left wing of his party. Johnson alleged Democrats are holding off reopening the government until after an Oct. 18 “No Kings” rally—featuring Antifa and pro‑Palestinian groups—in order to avoid confronting “their rabid base.” He called the event a “Hate America rally” and claimed Democrats were delaying action until after it ends. Johnson further asserted that House Democrats had aided in promoting the rally, saying, “They’re playing games with real people’s lives.”
Johnson’s comments followed earlier remarks by Schumer, reported by Punchbowl News, that the shutdown was “getting better for us every day.” Schumer has defended the party’s posture as part of a political strategy—especially around restoring healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants—something Republicans oppose. In reaction to Johnson’s allegations, the White House responded forcefully: Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson accused Democrats of “gleefully inflicting pain” on Americans, while Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described Schumer’s approach as “disgusting and revealing,” pointing to the hardships faced by workers, families, and small businesses during the shutdown.
As the shutdown drags into its third week, the stakes continue to rise. Schumer now faces significant pressure from within his party: speculation is growing about a possible primary challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez in 2026. Meanwhile, Johnson and Republicans maintain that the impasse stems from partisan brinkmanship. Neither side has yet yielded. The political standoff persists, with both leaders blaming the other for stalled negotiations and the continued disruption to federal services.
This Will Make You FURIOUS!!!
Bombshell from D.C. – Speaker Johnson is enraged after it leaked that Chuck Schumer plans to keep the government closed until AFTER an ANTIFA "No Kings" rally on October 18th so Democrats don't upset the liberal base!
"It's being told to us they… pic.twitter.com/x9atZrFhoj
— Conservative Brief (@ConservBrief) October 10, 2025
