When Democrats chose to filibuster a clean Continuing Resolution, they crossed a line no party had ever crossed before—deliberately triggering a government shutdown over a bill that didn’t even contain partisan riders. It was pure obstruction for obstruction’s sake. The question is, what would drive them to such a reckless move? A new Pew Research poll might hold the answer—and it paints a brutal picture of a party consumed by frustration and internal collapse.
The poll shows that the party is eating itself alive with frustration. According to data, which was collected before the Schumer Shutdown began, a staggering 67% of Democrats expressed deep dissatisfaction with their own party—up significantly from about half in 2021 and 2019. The primary gripe? A widespread feeling that congressional Democrats simply haven’t pushed hard enough against the Trump administration, which many in the party’s base see as a glaring failure.
In contrast, only 40% of Republicans voice frustration with their party, a noticeable drop from 2021, while a healthy 69% of them say the GOP makes them feel hopeful. Meanwhile, a whopping three-quarters of all Americans are frustrated with Democrats, compared to 65% who feel the same about Republicans.
ICYMI: Ted Cruz Predicts When the Shutdown Will Likely End
This growing unhappiness among Democrats reflects a party struggling with its identity and leadership just one year out from the 2026 midterms. While Democrats wallow in recrimination, Republicans have largely steadied the ship. The Republicans’ focus on crime and immigration issues remains popular, giving them an edge among voters on those fronts, even as their advantage on the economy has evaporated.
Making matters worse for the Democrats, Republicans enjoy higher levels of pride and hope among voters than their Democratic counterparts. Just over a quarter of Americans are proud of the GOP, while only 16% feel that pride for Democrats. Hopefulness follows the same pattern—36% for the Republicans versus a mere 28% for Democrats.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Democratic leaders saw the same dismal numbers in their own internal polling and panicked. Instead of acting responsibly, they decided to stage a political stunt to prove just how “anti-Trump” they could be—no matter the cost. So they broke precedent and filibustered a clean Continuing Resolution that would’ve kept the government open. It was political theater at its worst: choosing brinkmanship over basic governance. Sure, it might satisfy their angry base for now, but it also exposes exactly why so many Americans are fed up with the Democrats’ reckless, self-serving approach to leadership.
ICYMI: Trump Delivers Mic Drop Response to CBS Accusing Him of Revenge
The shutdown has now dragged on for more than a month, with Senate Democrats stubbornly blocking every effort to reopen the government. But the pressure is mounting, and it’s only a matter of time before they crack. What’s unfolding isn’t just a policy dispute—it’s a portrait of a party in full meltdown. Democrats are trapped in a cycle of symbolic resistance, obsessed with proving their anti-Trump credentials more than governing.
