The Post-Chuck Schumer Era

Ever since he helped avert a government shutdown in March—citing WIRED’s reporting on Elon Musk’s desire for one as part of his rationale—Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has been waiting for this moment to redeem himself.

The problem is that Schumer may have already blown his chance. With a government shutdown now here, frustrations over Schumer’s leadership have been bubbling up behind the scenes as the party begins to look toward a post-Schumer era.

“It’s a foregone conclusion that he will not be leader,” a senior Democratic strategist tells me, requesting anonymity to discuss candid conversations with their colleagues. “Most people think he will not be leader in a year and a half’s time.” This would be after the 2026 midterms, with a new Congress in place and some key retirements among Schumer allies, such as Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois. But the ...