A lucrative new book tour by U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has been scrapped after hosts were forced to cancel his appearances due to concerns that far-left protesters might disrupt the events. These concerns stemmed from a growing backlash online, where critics accused the Democratic leader of compromising by agreeing to Republicans’ continuing resolution to keep the federal government open for another six months.
Schumer announced on Friday that he would vote to pass the CR, arguing that a shutdown would be “far worse.” He told CNN: “I know a lot of members didn’t like the CR — the government shutdown would be far worse. A government shutdown gives Donald Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE almost complete power … to close down because they can decide what is an essential service.” He added: “My job as leader is to lead the party. And if there’s going to be danger in the near future, to protect the party. And I’m proud I did it.”
Progressive activists quickly began organizing to disrupt Schumer’s book tour promoting Antisemitism in America: A Warning, in which he discusses the troubling rise of antisemitism in the U.S. and its potential connection to a larger crisis in identity politics. Schumer, who is Jewish, strongly condemned the antisemitic elements within anti-Israel campus protests last year. However, he also criticized President Donald Trump’s attempts to deport prominent protest leaders, calling them “un-American.”
Tour stops were planned for Baltimore, New York City, D.C., and Philadelphia, according to Axios. A spokesman for Schumer told New York Times reporter Annie Karni, “Due to security concerns, Senator Schumer’s book events are being rescheduled.”
A significant amount of the organizing seems to have occurred on Reddit, a platform known for progressive discussions. Thousands of users gathered in a thread urging protests at Schumer’s upcoming book signings. Some of the most highly rated comments contain pointed criticisms of the New York Democrat. “It’s rich that a man who wrote a book on antisemitism just handed the country over to Nazis,” one user wrote. Another encouraged attendees to make a sign reading “Chuck the Cuck.”