25-04-2025
David Hogg Tears Into DNC: '2 BILLION Dollars and Still Lost'
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Democratic National Committee (DNC) Vice Chair David Hogg criticized the DNC after Chairman Ken Martin proposed that all DNC officers stay neutral in Democratic primaries.
Writing on X, Hogg, a progressive activist who had announced plans to primary certain Democrats through a PAC he runs, said it was important to "fight back" against President Donald Trump and called out the DNC for failing to win elections.
Why It Matters
The conflict between Hogg and Martin escalates tensions in the DNC. Since losing the 2024 elections, there has been internal infighting in the Democratic Party between progressives and moderates and a lack of clarity about who might emerge as the next party leader.
What To Know
In a call with reporters on Thursday, Martin said that DNC officers can't "be both the referee and also the player at the same time" in response to Hogg announcing plans to spend $20 million to primary "out-of-touch" and "ineffective" Democrats through his grassroots group, Leaders We Deserve.
Hogg did not specify which incumbent Democrats he wants to challenge.
"You have to make a decision," Martin said.
David Hogg in Washington, D.C., following his speech at the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington on August 26, 2023.
David Hogg in Washington, D.C., following his speech at the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington on August 26, 2023.
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
In response, Hogg, a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting, said on X that the DNC was trying to change the rules because he was "not currently breaking them."
"The fact that we spent 2 BILLION dollars and still lost an election to a convicted felon who literally attempted to overthrow our government must be a cause for serious reflection and a prime example of why change is so needed," he wrote.
He said in another X post: "This moment requires us to have the strongest opposition party possible to stop Trump from destroying people's retirement savings, disappearing people, plunging our economy into oblivion—and to provide a real alternative to the Republican Party for voters that we simply do not have right now."
Speaking to CNN's Kaitlan Collins on Thursday, Hogg said he wanted to primary candidates because some Congress leaders "are failing to meet the moment right now."
"I understand what the chair is saying," Hogg said, "However, there have been vice chairs previously who have been involved in is happening here is they are attempting to change the rules."
What People Are Saying
Jane Kleeb, the Nebraska Democratic Party chair and president of the Association of State Democratic Committees, said on the press call: "We hope that he [Hogg] realizes that he got elected to be an officer of the DNC, which means that we remain neutral."
"Voters get to decide who our candidates are, not party officials," she said.
Democratic strategist Matt Bennett wrote on X: "When @davidhogg111 became Vice-Chair, I was quoted worrying he would not make the switch from activist to his new role. And he didn't. This is insane behavior from a DNC official, especially as Trump takes a chainsaw to our democracy."
Adam Green, the co-founder of Progressive Change Campaign Committee, supported Hogg in a statement: "Anybody who believes our country is in an existential moment, and who sees the sole opposition party at a record low approval with the public, should want to both change the face of our party in primaries and fix the party from the inside."
What Happens Next
DNC members have to approve the resolution. That vote will take place at the party's August meeting.
If approved, Hogg may have to choose between remaining as the DNC's vice-chair or staying on as president of Leaders We Deserve. However, he has indicated to Semafor that he would not leave either role.
