Senator Elissa Slotkin called for a new generation of leadership within the Democratic Party, citing ongoing internal divisions and setbacks after recent elections.
Slotkin described the party as being in disarray more than a year and a half after the 2024 presidential election, stating that the old models no longer work.
She compared the party to a “circular firing squad,” where members react to crises but few offer a clear vision, calling this a fundamental leadership failure.
When asked whether Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries should step aside, Slotkin said leaders who cannot adapt to the changed political landscape should allow others to take the helm.
Slotkin noted that President Trump succeeded by delivering a simple, focused message that addressed affordability and economic concerns, while Democrats, she argued, attempted to appeal to everyone and lacked a clear stance.
Jeffries responded to the comments by stating he was unaware of Slotkin’s remarks.
The remarks arrive after a slate of progressive candidates, supported by a city mayor, won several seats in New York congressional primaries, defeating multiple incumbents and establishment-backed hopefuls.
In response to the primary losses, the national party sent a condolence message to the defeated candidates.
The episode highlights the widening divide between the party’s establishment and its progressive wing.
