Schumer Criticized for Silence on Antisemitism

Montana Republican Jeremy Carl fires back at Senate Majority Leader's attack

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has been criticized for his perceived silence on rising antisemitism, particularly from within his own Democratic party. Montana Republican Jeremy Carl, who has been nominated for a State Department post, strongly rebuked Schumer for calling him a racist while failing to condemn antisemitic rhetoric from other prominent Democrats.

Why it matters

Schumer's response, or lack thereof, to growing antisemitism has raised concerns about political partisanship trumping moral leadership, especially among those in positions of power. The exchange highlights the charged political climate and the importance of elected officials consistently condemning all forms of hate and bigotry.

The details

In a post on X, Schumer attacked Carl, a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute who served in the Trump administration, calling him a racist. Carl, who has written a book condemning racism, fired back with an epic response accusing Schumer of only denouncing racism and antisemitism when it can be used as a "cudgel to beat Republicans." Carl pointed to Schumer's failure to condemn antisemitic comments from prominent Democrats like Texas House leader Gene Wu and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. He also criticized Schumer for not denouncing the pro-BDS stance of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, despite Schumer having written a book on antisemitism in America.

  • Schumer's book on antisemitism in America was published just a few months before his attack on Carl.

The players

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Majority Leader and a prominent Democrat who has been criticized for his perceived silence on rising antisemitism, particularly from within his own party.

Jeremy Carl

A Montana Republican who has been nominated for a State Department post and is a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute. He strongly rebuked Schumer for calling him a racist while failing to condemn antisemitic rhetoric from other prominent Democrats.

Gene Wu

A Texas Democrat House leader who has made anti-White racist comments that Schumer has not condemned.

Jasmine Crockett

A Democrat Congresswoman and U.S. Senate candidate who has made anti-White racist comments that Schumer has not condemned.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who has supported boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel and repeatedly called to "Globalize the intifada," but whom Schumer has not denounced.

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What they’re saying

“I actually completely reject racism, antisemitism, and White supremacy no matter who engages in it. You appear to only disavow racism, antisemitism and racial supremacy if you think you can use those words as a cudgel to beat Republicans, which is why you haven't denounced the anti-White racist comments of Texas Democrat House leader Gene Wu or Democrat Congresswoman and U.S. Senate candidate Jasmine "The only people that are crying are the mediocre White boys" Crockett.”

— Jeremy Carl, Senior Fellow, Claremont Institute (X)

“And you are so scared of a Senate primary challenge from the left in 2028, that while you will write a book called Antisemitism in America, just a few months after that book came out you wouldn't denounce the most prominent anti-Semite in your party, the mayor of your own city, Zohran Mamdani, who has supported boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel and repeatedly called to "Globalize the intifada.”

— Jeremy Carl, Senior Fellow, Claremont Institute (X)

What’s next

The exchange between Schumer and Carl has raised questions about the Democratic party's commitment to consistently condemning all forms of hate and bigotry, regardless of political affiliation. It remains to be seen whether Schumer will address these concerns and take a stronger stance against antisemitism within his own party.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the troubling trend of political leaders selectively condemning bigotry based on partisan interests, rather than upholding moral principles. It underscores the need for elected officials to demonstrate true leadership by unequivocally rejecting hate and intolerance in all its forms, regardless of the political affiliations of the perpetrators.