The White House issued a strong rebuke of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday after he reportedly said the ongoing federal government shutdown was “getting better” for Democrats. Schumer’s comments, made to Punchbowl News, suggested that Democrats had long anticipated the political fallout and were now benefiting from Republican disarray. “Every day gets better for us,” he said, referencing healthcare as a key element in the Democrats’ shutdown messaging strategy.
The remark quickly sparked outrage from the Trump administration, which accused Schumer of appearing to take pleasure in the hardship faced by American families. Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson slammed the Senate leader, stating, “Workers are missing paychecks… but to Chuck Schumer that means ‘every day gets better.’” Jackson urged Democrats to “stop inflicting this pain” and move to immediately reopen the government.
President Donald Trump added to the criticism during a Cabinet meeting, calling Schumer’s comments “disgusting.” He accused Schumer and other Democrats of holding the government “hostage” and claimed the senator was acting out of fear that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez might challenge him in a 2026 primary. “He’s terrified AOC is going to run against him,” Trump said.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also condemned Schumer’s remarks in a social media post, calling them a “revealing” look into the priorities of Democratic leadership. In response, Schumer’s office released a statement defending his comments, arguing that Republicans’ refusal to negotiate was only strengthening Democrats’ case for healthcare reform and an end to the shutdown.
As the shutdown stretches into its third week, tensions continue to rise. The Office of Management and Budget is now reportedly considering not guaranteeing backpay for furloughed federal workers—a major shift from prior policy. The proposal, if enacted, would further intensify political pressure on Democrats as thousands of federal employees continue to go unpaid.
