“Randi Weingarten Resigns From DNC Amid Rift With Chair Ken Martin, Marking Major Blow to Democratic Leadership”

Key Points

It seems likely that Randi Weingarten and Lee Saunders have resigned from the DNC, criticizing its leadership as ineffective.
Research suggests their resignations stem from disagreements with Chair Ken Martin over the party’s direction.
The evidence leans toward internal conflicts, including support for rival candidates and strategies like primarying older Democrats.

Resignations and Criticism

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, and Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, appear to have stepped down from the DNC in June 2025. Weingarten’s resignation letter, dated June 5, 2025, stated she felt “out of step” with the leadership, particularly Chair Ken Martin, and was concerned the party wasn’t “enlarging our tent.” Saunders, resigning on May 27, 2025, cited the need to focus on public service workers facing attacks, suggesting a shift in priorities. A former DNC official called Martin a “weak, ineffective leader,” highlighting internal dissatisfaction.

Context and Impact

These resignations come amid post-2024 election losses and internal rifts, including tensions over David Hogg’s plan to primary older Democrats, which Weingarten supported. The moves reflect broader factional disputes within the DNC, potentially weakening its leadership unity.

Background on Resignations

Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and Lee Saunders, the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), both declined offers to remain as at-large members of the DNC. Weingarten’s resignation, effective June 5, 2025, was formally communicated in a letter to DNC Chair Ken Martin, as reported by The New York Times and POLITICO. Saunders’ resignation, dated May 27, 2025, was noted in Newsweek and The Washington Post, with both moves seen as a blow to the DNC’s leadership.

Name	Position	Resignation Date	Reason for Leaving	Criticisms/Actions
Randi Weingarten	President, American Federation of Teachers; DNC at-large member since decades, Rules and Bylaws Committee since 2009	June 5, 2025	Disagreements with DNC Chair Ken Martin, concerned about party’s direction, not enlarging the tent	Supported Ben Wikler for DNC chair, vocally supported David Hogg, questioned party engagement
Lee Saunders	President, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; DNC at-large member	May 27, 2025	Public service workers facing unprecedented attacks, moment demands focus, declined nomination	No specific criticisms mentioned, emphasized commitment to future battles

Reasons for Resignation and Criticisms

Weingarten’s letter, as quoted in multiple sources, expressed that she felt “out of step with the leadership you are forging,” and did not want to be the one “questioning why we are not enlarging our tent and actively trying to engage more of our communities”

. This suggests a fundamental disagreement with Martin’s strategic direction, particularly after the 2024 election losses, which have left the party searching for a way forward. Her support for Ben Wikler, Martin’s opponent in the DNC chair race earlier in 2025, and her backing of David Hogg’s $20 million plan to primary older Democratic incumbents, as noted in The Hill, further illustrate her alignment with a more progressive, reformist faction.

Saunders, on the other hand, framed his resignation as a necessity to focus on the “unprecedented attacks” on public service workers, as mentioned in his statement to The New York Times. While he did not explicitly criticize Martin, his decision to step down at a critical moment suggests dissatisfaction with the DNC’s ability to address labor concerns effectively.

A former DNC official, speaking anonymously to Fox News, described Martin as a “weak, ineffective leader who isn’t ready for any of this,” echoing sentiments of a leadership vacuum within the party. This criticism was further highlighted in an X post by @americasgreat on June 16, 2025 ([https://x.com/americasgreat/status/1934783736568004977]), which noted, “Randi Weingarten, Lee Saunders quit DNC in latest blow to Dem Party leadership after criticizing Chair Ken Martin, DNC. They eat their own.”

Internal Conflicts and Context

The resignations are part of a broader pattern of internal conflict within the DNC, exacerbated by the 2024 election outcomes and factional disputes. David Hogg, a former DNC Vice Chair, stepped down after causing turmoil with his initiative to challenge older Democratic incumbents, as reported by Meaww. Leaked audio, as mentioned in Politico, revealed Martin’s frustration with Hogg, stating, “Hogg destroyed any chance I have to show leadership,” underscoring the depth of internal divisions.

Weingarten’s removal from the Rules and Bylaws Committee by Martin, following his election as chair in February 2025, as noted in Daily Wire, likely intensified her dissatisfaction. This move, coupled with her long tenure on the committee since 2009, as per The Detroit News, suggests a personal and strategic rift.

Implications and Reactions

The resignations have sparked significant discussion on X, with posts like @SmilingOutrage on June 16, 2025 ([https://x.com/SmilingOutrage/status/1934667834186965503]) suggesting, “Randi Weingarten, Lee Saunders quit DNC in latest blow to Dem Party leadership. Starting to see a pattern? These people have not had a change of heart. They are sneaky and untrustworthy.” Such reactions indicate a polarized view, with some seeing the resignations as evidence of the Democratic Party’s collapse, while others, like Stuart Applebaum, chair of the DNC Labor Council, defended Martin, stating he understands workers and has a “winning approach,” as per Fox News.

The timing, just days before the current date of June 17, 2025, underscores the urgency and ongoing nature of these developments, with potential implications for the DNC’s unity and effectiveness in upcoming elections.

Conclusion

In summary, Weingarten and Saunders’ resignations from the DNC in June 2025, driven by criticisms of Ken Martin’s leadership as ineffective and concerns over the party’s direction, reflect deep internal divisions. These moves, supported by direct statements from their resignation letters and corroborated by multiple news sources and X discussions, highlight a critical juncture for the Democratic Party as it navigates post-2024 challenges and factional disputes.