Kevin McCarthy Says AOC and Mamdani Owe Their Rise to ‘Lack of Leadership’ From Schumer and Jeffries

Key Takeaways:

• Kevin McCarthy believes Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries have shown weak leadership.
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Zohran Mamdani are named as beneficiaries of this leadership gap.
• McCarthy says Democrats have not clearly defined their policy goals.
• He references “Jesse Watters Primetime” in his remarks.
• The article originally appeared on Yahoo! News on October 4, 2025.

McCarthy’s Charge Against Democratic Leaders

In a pointed criticism, Kevin McCarthy claimed that leading Democrats, particularly Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Hakeem Jeffries, have failed to provide the decisive leadership their party needs. He argues that this perceived lack of direction has opened the door for more progressive politicians to flourish.

Focus on AOC and Mamdani

McCarthy specifically identified Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani as prime examples of lawmakers whose rise, in his view, stems from gaps in Democratic leadership. By highlighting these two figures, McCarthy suggests that the party’s leading voices have not provided sufficient guidance or set a clear political agenda.

Implications for Schumer and Jeffries

The focus on Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries underscores McCarthy’s belief that the top of the Democratic hierarchy bears responsibility for the emergence of outspoken progressives. While AOC and Mamdani have garnered support for their bold policy approaches, McCarthy insists it is the absence of robust leadership that has fueled their ascendancy.

What McCarthy Said

During his comments, McCarthy offered a pointed critique, stating, “They can’t even they will tell you what they want to achieve.” This remark suggests that, from his perspective, Democratic leaders have struggled to unify around a concrete set of policy goals. McCarthy’s statements, referenced in the original report, have added further tension to existing debates within the party and among political commentators.