Democrats can’t seem to agree on anything these days, with a dramatic showdown between Senator Fetterman and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez exposing deep fractures within the party. The battle over how to handle government funding has ignited a civil war that threatens to derail Democrats’ messaging heading into a critical election year.
At a glance:
- Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) dismissed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s criticism with a blunt “deal with it” response
- Senate Democrats voted to advance a continuing resolution to prevent a government shutdown
- Progressive Democrats like AOC and Rep. Ilhan Omar criticized the move as surrendering leverage to Republicans
- Some Democrats have suggested it might be time for new Senate Democratic leadership
- Fetterman previously stated he cares very little about Ocasio-Cortez’s views on the matter
Democrats Divided: Fetterman Dismisses AOC
Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has escalated tensions within the Democratic Party by telling Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) to simply “deal with it” after she criticized Senate Democrats for advancing a government funding bill. The Pennsylvania Senator’s comments come amid a growing ideological rift between pragmatic Democrats willing to compromise with the Trump administration and progressive hardliners demanding confrontation with Republicans. Some of the Democratic left, including Ocasio-Cortez, have begun hosting rallies across America in opposition to Trump policies. Some have criticized Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer for failing to sufficiently put up a fight against the Trump administration.
Fetterman didn’t hold back and made his feelings crystal clear. “I hope you can relay how little I care about her views on this,” Fetterman told reporters, revealing an ever-deepening divide between moderate Democrats and the party’s progressive wing.
Shutdown Showdown Sparks Democratic Infighting
The conflict erupted after Chuck Schumer and other Senate Democrats, including Fetterman, voted to advance a Continuing Resolution (CR) to prevent a government shutdown. Progressive members immediately attacked the decision, claiming it surrendered critical leverage to Republicans without extracting concessions for Democratic priorities.
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Democrats are embroiled in internal conflict over the recent stopgap spending resolution, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez expressing feelings of betrayal towards Senate Democrats like John Fetterman. Tensions escalated as AOC suggested a primary…— The America One News (@am1_news) March 17, 2025
Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), another progressive firebrand, expressed “disgust” over Senate Democrats’ decision to support the funding measure. Her public criticism, along with similar statements from like-minded progressives, shines another light on how deeply divided Democrats have become.
Calls for New Leadership Emerge
The internal conflict has prompted some Democrats to openly question Schumer’s leadership. Representative Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) delivered a stunning rebuke of the Senate Majority Leader, suggesting it may be time for a change at the top.
“I respect Chuck Schumer. I think he’s had a great, long-standing career. He’s done a lot of great things. But I’m afraid that it may be time for the Senate Democrats to pick new leadership as we move forward,” said Ivey.
Analysts say that while AOC and her allies push for confrontation and ideological purity, Fetterman represents a wing of the party more focused on governance and avoiding unpopular government shutdowns that could alienate swing voters.
