Schumer Faces Backlash After Rally Against Musk’s Government Efficiency Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer faced criticism Tuesday after leading a rally outside the Treasury building to protest billionaire Elon Musk‘s unofficial Department of Government Efficiency. The rally, which included chants of “We will win!” drew swift backlash from both sides of the political spectrum.

Schumer’s demonstration aimed to challenge Musk’s growing influence in government operations, despite the department’s unofficial status. However, critics questioned the effectiveness of the rally, with former Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio calling it “depressing.”

“I just don’t even know what to say anymore when I see this kind of stuff. Is it Saturday Night Live or real life?” Ryan said in response to a clip of Schumer’s rally. “Does anyone really think this is the future of the country? This is the only alternative to Trump’s America? It’s just so depressing.”

Ryan, who served in the House from 2003 to 2023, has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership. He and other party members have criticized Schumer and other leaders for failing to take concrete action against Musk and former President Donald Trump, both of whom have pushed for sweeping changes to the federal workforce.

Online, reactions to Schumer’s rally were mixed, with some suggesting the senator should step aside to allow younger leadership to take over. Conservative political commentator Scott Jennings and liberal commentator Bakari Sellers both expressed disappointment in the rally’s lack of substance.

“I’m disappointed in the lack of plan,” Sellers said. “I don’t want to hear Chuck Schumer saying, ‘We won’t lose’ and ‘We won’t rest.’ I’d rather have a small business owner up there talking about the impact on them.”

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel also weighed in, delivering a blunt assessment of the rally. “Oh we are so f***ed,” Kimmel said on his show Tuesday evening. “We are doomed.”

Schumer’s rally comes amid growing concerns over Musk’s influence in government operations. The Department of Government Efficiency, though unofficial, has gained significant authority in recent months, raising questions about the balance of power between private entities and federal institutions.