-(4)-1731951738-q80.webp){kind=small}
In a candid and sharp rebuke, the liberal advocacy group MoveOn has issued a warning to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) about what it calls “deep problems” within the Democratic Party’s base regarding the party’s response to the looming threat posed by former President Donald Trump and the broader conservative agenda.
MoveOn, a well-known progressive grassroots organization, made its discontent clear by sending a letter to Schumer and Jeffries, urging them to take more decisive action in opposition to Trump’s ongoing influence on American politics. Politico’s report on the letter highlighted the disconnection between Democratic lawmakers and their progressive supporters, particularly when it comes to confronting the current political realities shaped by Trump’s resurgence.
In the letter, MoveOn expressed concern that Democrats in Congress have been “inactive” in their response to the political turmoil that Trump’s administration has left in its wake. This inaction, the group argues, is alienating the very base that the party needs to remain competitive in future elections.
The letter from MoveOn further highlighted the findings from a survey conducted with its members, revealing troubling statistics about the Democratic Party’s standing among its most dedicated supporters. According to the survey, a staggering 78 percent of MoveOn’s members felt that congressional Democrats were not fully committed to opposing Trump and his agenda.
Even more concerning, 49 percent of respondents indicated that they were less likely to volunteer or contribute to Democratic campaigns due to the party’s failure to take meaningful action in challenging Trump’s influence.
This dissatisfaction with the Democratic leadership’s response to Trump has been palpable in the grassroots level, where volunteers and donors are increasingly disillusioned with the party’s apparent passivity. The letter strongly warns that if these concerns are not addressed, volunteers and financial supporters will cease to back the party’s efforts.
“Nothing about this moment is normal,” the letter states, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the urgency of taking action. It goes on to argue that Democrats must confront the threats posed by not just Trump but also his allies, including the billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who MoveOn and other liberal groups have repeatedly criticized for his political influence.
MoveOn’s letter calls for a collective effort to counter what it describes as “rampant corruption” within the political system and to mitigate the damage that Trump’s administration, along with figures like Musk, are inflicting on American society. The group warns that cuts to essential programs like Medicaid, Social Security, cancer research funding, and USAID programs for children and families would have devastating consequences for millions of Americans.
The group’s call for action is not just about confronting Trump’s policies but also about rallying the progressive base to engage more directly in the political fight. MoveOn’s letter advocates for Democrats to adopt a more aggressive approach, urging the party to communicate the destructive impact of Trump’s actions and those of his allies on people’s lives—using every platform available to them, including the effective right-wing digital ecosystem.
“We should tell people what President Trump and Musk are doing to people’s lives on every platform available, full stop. That includes engaging with the massively effective right-wing digital ecosystem,” the letter asserts. “But outside of their turf, we need to reach people where they’re at, and with messengers who cut through the noise.”
In a direct appeal to the Democratic leadership, MoveOn’s letter calls for the elevation of fresh voices within the party. The group encourages Democrats to showcase new, dynamic, and relatable members of Congress who are already demonstrating the energy and resolve necessary to challenge the status quo.
MoveOn’s leadership believes that a new generation of bold and outspoken lawmakers, many of whom are already engaging with young and disillusioned voters, holds the key to reviving the party’s fortunes in an increasingly polarized political environment.
“Elevate new members of Congress and showcase fresh voices in the party. There’s a new generation of forthright, engaging, authentic, and relatable lawmakers who are meeting the moment,” the letter reads.
“They’re already showing young, disengaged folks that a better future is possible.”
The demand for fresh leadership is clear: MoveOn believes that new voices within the party can not only counter Trump’s dangerous rhetoric but also provide a message of hope and possibility to younger generations who may feel alienated from traditional politics.
This new wave of leadership, according to the group, has the potential to ignite passion and activism among young voters who are disillusioned by the lack of meaningful action from the current Democratic establishment.
However, the tone of the letter is not just one of critique; it also sends a clear message of resolve. MoveOn emphasized that its members are “not going down without a fight” and are ready to work with leaders who share their commitment to progressive values.
This is not merely a call for Democratic leaders to act—it is a rallying cry for the party to reenergize its base, engage in bold political action, and challenge the forces that are threatening the future of American democracy.
The letter’s publication follows a growing chorus of discontent within the Democratic Party, fueled in part by recent actions taken by Schumer and other party leaders. Earlier this month, Pass the Torch, another grassroots organization, called for Schumer’s resignation as minority leader in response to his vote in favor of advancing a spending bill that aligned with Republican priorities.
The two groups, MoveOn and Pass the Torch, represent a larger movement within the Democratic Party that is increasingly frustrated with what they see as a lack of urgency in addressing the political challenges of the moment.
The dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership is not isolated to MoveOn. Other progressive factions within the party have echoed similar concerns, particularly in the wake of Schumer and other Democrats’ vote to advance the House GOP’s spending bill, which many activists saw as an example of party leaders compromising with Republicans at the expense of their own values and priorities.
Whether or not the Democratic leadership heeds these warnings and embraces a more aggressive approach to countering Trump’s influence remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: MoveOn and its members are ready to fight for the future of the Democratic Party and the values they believe are essential to the country’s progress.
