El-Sayed Urges Senate Democrats to Take ‘Righteous Risks’

El-Sayed said he appreciates Schumer but worries Democrats could lose public trust by returning to familiar approaches. He praised Van Hollen for taking up the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident unlawfully deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration. Van Hollen’s 2025 visit to see Abrego Garcia showed a willingness to take political risks, El-Sayed said, describing the approach he wants as “righteous risks and righteous fights.”

Van Hollen has not formally declared a challenge to Schumer for the party’s leadership, though he said earlier this week that he has not ruled one out. Two polls of progressive activists released in the past week showed overwhelming support for replacing Schumer as Senate Democratic leader.

El-Sayed also set out policies he wants Democrats to pursue: ending what he called President Donald Trump’s illegal war with Iran, passing Medicare for All and abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He said he would accept naming Medicare for All after Trump if that helped secure the president’s signature. “Put his name on it,” he said, adding that he did not care what the program was called.

El-Sayed acknowledged Trump was unlikely to sign such a bill, but argued that Democrats should pass it anyway and make the president decide whether to veto it. “I dare Donald Trump to veto,” he said, framing the vote as a way to test the administration’s claims about delivering for voters.