Not only are the leading Democrats seeing threats to their power from a far-left socialist wave this primary season, they’re also taking flak from the establishment wing, including Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).
She recently asserted that her party needs “new leadership,” and Democrats in the other chamber of Congress didn’t take the slight in stride.
The Hill reported on a statement released by one influential caucus in the House:
“The Congressional Black Caucus and House Democrats are united behind Leader Jeffries and remain focused on lowering costs for working families, defending our democracy, protecting fundamental rights, and taking back the House majority this November — not engaging in distractions that only serve to divide Democrats at a moment when unity and resolve are essential,” CBC Chair Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.) and former chairs, Reps. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) and Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), said in a joint statement shared on social media.
ADVERTISEMENTDuring a Wednesday appearance on SiriusXM’s “Straight Shooter” podcast, Slotkin discussed the debate over a “path forward” for Democrats.
“That’s why I believe we need significant new leadership,” the Democratic senator told host Stephen A. Smith. “The old models are no longer working, and that includes the Democratic Party.”
The CBC criticized Slotkin’s comments and cited her record of voting to approve multiple members of President Trump’s Cabinet, including formerDepartment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Slotkin’s remarks made her the latest Democrat to take a shot at the party’s establishment wing in the wake of the primary election wave.
The Congressional Black Caucus’ response to Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) after she suggested Hakeem Jeffries should be replaced
“With respect to Senator Elissa Slotkin: House Democrats don’t need a lesson on reading the political moment from someone who handed Donald Trump one… https://t.co/2NO3wOIOA2 pic.twitter.com/Ke4zMQChEK
— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) June 27, 2026
Her comments also attracted a considerable amount of social media attention:
Hakeem Jeffries is confronted with Elissa Slotkin calling for new leadership in the Democrat party:
SLOTKIN: If people can't understand that the game has changed then they need to let others lead.
JEFFRIES: “I have no idea what Elissa Slotkin was talking about." pic.twitter.com/Izp48sRsPf
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 26, 2026
Democrats are a hot mess
— What The Heck (@saynotojoe1) June 27, 2026
Politico also covered the CBC’s response:
“House Democrats don’t need a lesson on reading the political moment from someone who handed Donald Trump one of the most corrupt Cabinets in American history,” the CBC said. “Voting to confirm Kristi Noem and six other Trump Cabinet secretaries is not the posture of someone who ‘understood the moment’ after 2024.”
The CBC closed its defense of Jeffries with a sharp parting shot of remaining focused on providing for Americans rather than “engaging in distractions that only serve to divide Democrats at a moment when unity and resolve are essential.”
A spokesperson for Slotkin, who has repeatedly called for a new generation of leadership in Congress, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Here’s a clip of the moment in question:
Y'ALL I THOUGHT THIS WAS FAKE 😭 SHE ACTUALLY SAID IT. You know things are fucked up when Elissa Slotkin is saying this shit. She did not want to drop names but when Stephen A. Smith asked if she was talking about Schumer and Jeffries, she did not deny it. https://t.co/w7Pov4g6rp pic.twitter.com/jYkomkzpZg
— adri ♡ (@socialistadri) June 26, 2026
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