Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha torched Democrats’ left-wing faction for pushing to oust Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in favor of Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
“This is the process of the DSA takeover of the Democratic Party, stage one,” Concha said on Fox News’s Fox & Friends First on Friday.
Mounting opposition to Schumer’s continued leadership has opened the door for a potential challenge from the progressive wing, which is backing Van Hollen.
“Chuck Schumer is not well liked by anyone basically,” Concha said.
“The time is now for change, and I will not be supporting Chuck to be reelected as the Democratic leader,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
“Whoever wants my vote is going to have to show me a concrete plan that’s definitively different. I’m a no until and unless I see that from anyone,” Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) said.
“Shingles is more popular at this point,” Concha said.
Concha said Van Hollen’s more progressive views, such as mass amnesty for illegal immigrants, make him an attractive candidate for Democrats.
“If you want somebody from the far Left that wants something like 15 million people being given citizenship, well that’s your guy,” Concha said.
Van Hollen maintained that his goal is to oust Schumer when Democrats regain their majority.
“In this election, Americans called on us to unrig an economy rigged against working people & fueled by political corruption,” Van Hollen said Thursday night on X. “To deliver, we need new leadership. This isn’t about any one person — it’s about answering that call. That’s why I’m running for Senate Majority Leader.”
Van Hollen reiterated that on Friday, ruling out an attempt at a presidential run in 2028 to focus instead on the Senate.
“I’m no longer pursuing that,” Van Hollen said. “I believe that the size and scale of these majorities provide a microphone for the United States Senate to answer the call with the American people.”
“The DSA wants to unseat Chuck Schumer as Senate majority leader,” Concha said. “The question is: Do they have the votes to do it?”
The Democratic Socialists of America have gained visibility across the country, particularly in New York, where New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has become one of the movement’s most prominent figures.
Other members include Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).
The DSA’s new platform was released on July 14.
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The platform, “Workers Deserve More,” includes eliminating the U.S. Senate, granting amnesty for all immigrants, defunding the Department of War, and replacing the Electoral College with a national popular vote for president. The DSA is also calling for universal healthcare.
“The Democratic base wants radical change,” Concha said.