Report: Democrats Frustrated with Embattled DNC Chair

Democrats are reportedly frustrated with embattled Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin, who sits at the center of the Democratic Party's rising anxiety.

Martin, who has found himself increasingly isolated as he worries about losing his job, threw a phone at a junior aide's desk earlier this month in frustration, sparking a human resources complaint, according to a report by the New York Times.

Three sources told the newspaper that the DNC Chair had to meet with human resources (HR) as a result of the phone-tossing incident. While accounts differed slightly on how aggressively the phone was thrown, the incident was described by half a dozen people, and there was apparently a general consensus that the phone was directed at a desk, not the aide.

"Even supporters acknowledge Martin's growing sense of paranoia," the Times reported. The DNC Chair has also required assurances before meeting with the Party's top congressional Democrats, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), that they would not call for his resignation.

The DNC Chair has also publicly scolded staff over leaks. "It pisses me off when I see leaks out of this building," Martin said, according to four people who heard the remarks. "No more of that shit. No more." The sources added that Martin noted seeing "a lot of down faces" and "people hanging their heads." "Keep your head up. Keep a smile on your face," the DNC Chair reportedly urged, adding, "My success is your success. So the weaker I am, the weaker all of you are."

Meanwhile, the DNC is facing a severe cash shortage and is reportedly $2 million in debt — even after taking out a $15 million loan last year, with high ongoing interest and principal repayments starting in January — while the Republican National Committee (RNC) holds nearly $130 million.

Around $840,000 from the DNC and an affiliated fundraising committee has reportedly been sent to Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Marianas, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa since the start of last year. During Martin's tenure as DNC Chair, the largest expense was reportedly a staggering $7.3 million spent on the remnants of former Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign list from her failed 2024 presidential bid. "But some Democrats, both inside and outside the committee, are questioning where exactly all the money has gone," the New York Times noted.