Last week, Democratic Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) openly admitted what most of us already knew — her party plans to use the pain caused by the Schumer Shutdown as “leverage” against Republicans in negotiations to reopen the government.
It was one of those rare moments when a Democrat actually said the quiet part out loud. Refreshing in its honesty, sure — but absolutely appalling in what it revealed.
Clark clearly knew she’d stepped in it — because not long after her “leverage” remark blew up, she scrambled to walk it back, claiming it wasn’t what she really meant. But the damage was already done.
Now, Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) has only confirmed what Clark accidentally said out loud: Democrats fully intend to use the pain and frustration of ordinary Americans as a political bargaining chip during the Schumer Shutdown.
“Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House. Frankly, this is our only moment of leverage, and although a very unpleasant tool to use,” Coons said on C-SPAN.
Chris Coons believes that denying Americans their SNAP benefits may be “unpleasant,” but it’s worth doing because it gives Democrats political “leverage.”
Absolutely deranged. pic.twitter.com/QgwNw8YpBJ
— Senate Republicans (@SenateGOP) October 28, 2025
This jerk.
Yes, Republicans hold the majority and have voted repeatedly — more than a dozen times — to reopen the government. However, without the 60 votes needed to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) in the Senate, those efforts have stalled. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) is fully aware of this dynamic.
Coons, as you might imagine, was toasted online for his callousness.
He’s used to enduring unpleasant things for politics https://t.co/L2uxwBH5fZ pic.twitter.com/G0kZIdhUap
— (((Aaron Walker))) (@AaronWorthing) October 28, 2025
“Frankly this is their only moment of leverage.” To pay for foreigners food, medical and housing to destroy our country and seize power forever https://t.co/AEdEk5vUg5 pic.twitter.com/CMebDS5AdJ
— Ter (@terkav60) October 28, 2025
Another Democrat admits the shutdown is theirs, even as the Official Line remains blaming Republicans (who have voted 12x to reopen the government with a clean funding bill). The “unpleasant” suffering is worth it for their political “leverage,” these Democrats explain. https://t.co/hWvcUDXjZ0
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) October 28, 2025
They refused to pay the troops.
They refused to pay federal employees.
They refused to keep the government open 12 times.
Now, Democrats celebrate their “leverage” while Americans struggle. https://t.co/GVjAxYCsMK
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) October 28, 2025
This is the Democratic Party’s playbook in a nutshell — and it goes far beyond the Schumer Shutdown. They create the crisis, let Americans suffer under it, then turn around and use that suffering as “leverage” to push their agenda. We’ve seen this movie before.
Just look at Obamacare. Democrats jammed it through in 2010, promising cheaper healthcare and better coverage. Now, even they’re admitting costs have skyrocketed, and their so-called “solution” is more government — a full-blown, single-payer, universal healthcare system. In other words, they break the system, then demand even more power to “fix” it.
Just pathetic. Worse, there are far too many Americans willing to give Democrats a break because of their Trump Derangement Syndrome.
