During a CNN town hall on Wednesday night, Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders found himself in a heated exchange with an audience member, Rohan Naval, an intern at Americans for Tax Reform. Naval challenged Sanders on the blame for the government shutdown, asking, “How do you think this shutdown reflects on Chuck Schumer’s leadership?” Sanders responded by shifting blame to Mike Johnson and former President Donald Trump, stating the shutdown “reflects more on Mike Johnson’s leadership” and Trump’s policies. The audience member, Naval, countered by highlighting Schumer’s repeated votes for continuing resolutions, prompting a wave of social media backlash from conservative figures, including the White House and GOP representatives, who praised Naval’s response. The incident has intensified the ongoing political stalemate over the government shutdown, with Senate Democrats blocking Republican attempts to reopen the government.
Following the exchange, Sanders reiterated his stance, stating, “Look, here’s what I have said. There are 53 Republican senators, correct? They need 60. It means you have to talk to the other side. Mike Johnson is not talking. John Thune is not talking. President Trump is not talking. That is the problem.” This response has further fueled the debate, as Senate Democrats continue to block Republican efforts to pass a continuing resolution (CR) to reopen the government. Sen. John Thune, a Republican leader, remains determined to push the CR, which would keep the government open until Nov. 21, through the Senate, despite repeated rejections by Democrats.
The growing frustration over the prolonged shutdown has led some Republicans to consider alternative solutions, including setting a new expiration date for the CR. However, this would require the House of Representatives, which has been out of session for nearly a month, to return and pass a new resolution. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has emphasized the need for a deal on expiring Obamacare subsidies and has urged President Trump to intervene in negotiations. “The bottom line is [Republicans] won’t even negotiate with us,” Schumer stated, “So that’s a premature question. But of course, I’m not going to negotiate in public. We need to address the crisis that has afflicted, and that’s the right word, the American people.”
The incident has sparked significant political momentum, with conservative media and social media platforms amplifying the moment. The White House and several GOP members of Congress have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to praise the audience member’s response, calling it a “wreck” for Sanders. This backlash has underscored the deepening divide between Democratic and Republican leaders, with the shutdown serving as a flashpoint in an increasingly polarized political landscape. As the government remains closed, the debate over the shutdown continues to dominate headlines, with both sides accused of political posturing and a lack of compromise.