Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg is drawing criticism from both sides of the aisle following a series of controversial public comments and political moves that have deepened internal party divisions and raised questions about the party’s direction.
Hogg, 24, was recently appointed as one of the DNC’s vice chairs, a move that surprised many and has since sparked internal discord.
His group, “Leaders We Deserve,” has pledged $20 million to challenge incumbent Democrats in the House of Representatives, targeting what the organization describes as “ineffective” members of Congress.
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The campaign has already received pushback from prominent Democratic strategists and party veterans.
Longtime Democratic operative James Carville called Hogg a “contemptible little twerp” over the group’s decision to primary sitting Democrats.
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Others voiced concern that such a campaign would divert resources away from competitive battlegrounds and important down-ballot races.
During an interview with CBS’s Major Garrett, Hogg defended the group’s decision and offered his own view of Democratic messaging.
“You could have a great script,” he said, “but if you had actors who were awful at their jobs, it doesn’t matter how good the message was.”
Hogg insisted that their effort was not just about age, citing Rep. Nancy Pelosi as an example of an older Democrat he still considers effective.
When Garrett asked Hogg to name a Democrat who was “asleep at the wheel,” Hogg declined to identify anyone specifically.
“We’re hoping this announcement will push those we’re thinking about not to run again,” Hogg said.
“I don’t want to have to do this.”
Critics quickly pointed out the lack of transparency in Hogg’s strategy.
Matt Bennett, who served during the Clinton-Gore administration, called it “insane behavior.”
Pollster John Anzalone, who worked with President Biden, stated that the $20 million would be better spent on legislative races in swing states.
Florida Democratic strategist Steve Schale also weighed in, saying that a DNC vice chair should be focusing on rebuilding support in battleground areas where Democrats have been losing ground, not pushing intra-party challenges in safe districts.
Hogg responded by blaming older Democratic leadership for the party’s current struggles.
“Currently, if we had the same number of 25- to 30-year-olds in Congress as we do proportionally to the population, we would have over 40 people under the age of 30 in Congress,” he said.
“We have one. That is not good for the future of the Democratic Party.”
He added that Joe Biden was “as successful as he was” because he entered the Senate at age 29 — a point that drew criticism online given Biden’s approval ratings and policy controversies.
“You’re not successful because you’re young,” one critic noted.
“You succeed or fail based on ideas and leadership — both in short supply.”
Hogg then attempted to redirect the conversation toward defeating President Donald Trump, stating the goal was to support Democrats who would “meet this moment” and “fight back against Donald Trump, like Sen. Van Hollen.”
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED MORE OF
We have to show people how we are fighting back and are here to protect the American people from Trumps reckless agenda. https://t.co/Y6DTvWpEvG— David Hogg 🟧 (@davidhogg111) April 18, 2025
Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, recently faced criticism for meeting with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant with alleged ties to the MS-13 gang.
That comment drew further attention to Hogg’s messaging.
His praise for Van Hollen, in light of the senator’s meeting with an alleged violent criminal, only added to the controversy.
Perhaps most notably, Hogg made a remark during the interview that led to significant backlash: “Democracy is what put us through school shooter drills and school shootings. It’s what’s put us through the climate crisis and so much more.”
UNHINGED: DNC Vice Chair David Hogg: “Democracy is what put us through school shooter drills and schools shootings. ⁰It’s what’s put us through the climate crisis and so much more.” pic.twitter.com/VWY7hPyy4e
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) April 18, 2025
The statement was widely circulated online, with critics questioning whether Hogg was blaming democracy itself for societal problems.
Hogg’s growing presence as a public face of the Democratic Party has led to increased scrutiny.
While his rise to a national party leadership role has energized some young progressive activists, others — including seasoned Democratic strategists — worry that the approach is alienating voters and undermining the party’s broader electoral goals heading into 2026.
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