Senate Democrats are largely running back to the same leadership team of the past two years — and not everyone is thrilled.
Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was re-elected as the party's Senate leader in a closed-door caucus meeting Tuesday, while Dick Durban (D-IL) will hold onto the party whip role he's held for nearly two decades and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) will keep their positions as vice chairs of the Democratic Caucus.
"Our caucus has led the way in passing historic legislation that has improved the lives of millions of Americans and we remain laser focused on addressing the most pressing challenges facing our country," Schumer said after the vote. "We have a lot of work ahead — in the Senate and as a country — and in this upcoming Congress, our caucus will continue to fight for what's best for America's working class. Senate Democrats are ready to get to work for you, the American people."
Those results weren't encouraging for many critics who believe the party's leadership is too old and unprepared to fight back against Trump's authoritarian threats.
"Moar Chuck Schumer as Senate minority leader," said investor Tom Hearden. "Good luck with that."
"It would be cool if the Ds would try something other than the sad sack do-little centrism that Schumer represents," said Bluesky user Greg Pak.
"Since there are a few members of Congress older than Schumer, I'm glad to see that Dems are going all in on dynamic young leadership," added retired teacher Dennis Croskey.
"God help us. In a 'choose your fighter' moment, they chose a glad-handing Care Bear," chimed in Kelly McCartney, who operates music nonprofits.
"I'd like any sign that senior Democrats understand we're about to enter an unprecedented emergency — any sign at all," said Bluesky user LOLGOP.
A number of critics unfavorably compared the party's Senate leaders to Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, who live streamed himself scaling the walls of the National Assembly so he could vote to overturn President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law.
"Dick Durbin would never," said Bluesky user Mark G.
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“'As members of "The Squad" are arrested and detained in federal prison, Schumer cuts own deal for home confinement,'" added writer Kirk Rudell
"In the last few weeks, first in New Zealand, and now in South Korea, we've seen the behaviors we should expect every day from our elected officials in the US," said public relations professional Brian Peter Gluckman. "Can you imagine Chuck Schumer doing this?" he wrote, posting the video.
"Now this is a country where the people cherish their democracy and refuse to let it slide into autocracy," said Ashton Pittman, news editor of the Mississippi Free Press.