CNN political commentator Van Jones sounded the alarm for Democrats on HBO’s “Real Time” on Friday night.
Jones is warning that his party risks political disaster as the government shutdown enters its first weekend.
“I think you can always trust our party to do the wrong thing at the wrong time for the right reason,” Jones said.
He continued by acknowledging that he might “piss off” some of his Democrat friends with the critique.
The Senate failed again on Friday to pass a funding measure to reopen the government.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and most Democrats have refused to compromise.
Democrats are digging in over expiring Obamacare tax credits and blocking the GOP’s continuing resolution.
The demands from Democrats include giving illegal aliens “free” healthcare benefits.
Democrats insist premiums will skyrocket if the subsidies aren’t extended immediately.
But Jones warned that their shutdown strategy may backfire.
“So now people are going to be mad about the post office and a hundred other things that Republicans can then blame on us,” Jones admitted.
He added that while he opposed higher healthcare premiums, the timing of the Democrats’ move was indefensible.
“The something probably shouldn’t be throwing a bunch of people out of work in the federal government and crushing American government’s ability to function right before the pain was about to start,” he said.
WATCH:
Van Jones’ reply is 😬 pic.twitter.com/nzWWtAUlGs
— Blue Georgia (@BlueATLGeorgia) October 4, 2025
Jones echoed “Real Time” host Bill Maher’s point that the shutdown could serve as political “leverage” for Democrats, but cautioned: “It should be used at the right time,” dismissing the standoff as another “piece of garbage” dumped on Americans.
The CNN commentator also accused Schumer of flip-flopping.
Jones revealed that Schumer had “convinced” him that shutting the government down was “stupid.”
“The weird thing is, I talked to Chuck Schumer about this like three months ago, and he was kicking me in the butt because I had been tough on him for not allowing the government to shut down,” Jones recalled.
“Then I turn on the TV and he says, ‘We’re now shutting the government down.’”
WATCH:
Van Jones just let the cat out of the bag: He says Chuck Schumer convinced him 3 MONTHS AGO that shutting the government down is “STUPID.”
“Hold on a second.”
This prompted Bill Maher to deliver a brutal line about his own past dealings with Chuck.
VAN JONES: “The weird thing… pic.twitter.com/IUtlFB3gju
— Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) October 4, 2025
While Jones conceded the strategy “maybe” could work, he reiterated the shutdown’s timing “is not that great.”
Republicans, meanwhile, are blasting Democrats for holding Americans hostage over Obamacare.
On Friday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said:
“This is about doing what’s in the best interest of the American people.
“And what’s in the best interest of the American people is keeping the government open and operating so it can continue to work on their behalf.”
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