Two top union leaders have departed the Democratic National Committee (DNC), escalating an internal conflict about the future of the party that was stirred up by former vice chair David Hogg. 

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, and Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, declined offers to stay on as at-large members of the DNC, as first reported by The New York Times. 

«I appear to be out of step with the leadership you are forging, and I do not want to be the one who keeps questioning why we are not enlarging our tent and actively trying to engage more and more of our communities,» Weingarten, the education leader and longtime voice in Democratic politics, said in a letter to Chair Ken Martin which is now circulating on social media. 

The union labor leaders’ departure is the latest blow to Martin, who just last week put his Hogg problem behind him. 

‘DISTRACTION’: THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS READY TO LEAVE THEIR DAVID HOGG DRAMA IN THE DUST

Hogg, the 25-year-old progressive firebrand, announced last week he would not seek re-election for vice chair after sparking internal rifts with his $20 million plan to primary challenge older incumbent Democrats he said are «asleep at the wheel» through his outside political action group, Leaders We Deserve. 

DNC CHAIR RIPPED DAVID HOGG OVER PARTY INFIGHTING IN LEAKED MEETING AUDIO: ‘REALLY FRUSTRATING’

«There is a huge vacuum of leadership in the Democratic Party and Ken is proving to be a weak, ineffective leader who isn’t ready for any of this,» a former DNC official, who asked for anonymity to speak more freely, told Fox News Digital. 

A DNC committee member, who was also granted anonymity, told Fox News Digital it was «not surprising» the union leaders decided to step down from the DNC, «given they both supported another candidate.»

Both Weingarten and Saunders supported Martin’s competitor in the race for DNC chair, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler. As chair, Martin later removed Weingarten from the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, which is the group responsible for drafting the Democratic Party’s presidential nominating calendar and election process. 

The committee member said Weingarten and Saunders «are both incredible leaders» with the country’s best interests in mind, and they are «confident we will all come together and focus and continue beating Republicans.»

David Hogg speaks at the March for our Lives rally against gun violence at the National Mall in Washington on June 11, 2022. (Getty)

«I have no doubt both of them, and the labor unions, will move forward and work together with the Chairman, and every other Democrat who is, first and foremost, focused on beating Donald Trump and the existential threat that he and Republicans pose to Americans’ lives and livelihoods and our democracy,» they added. 

Another source close to the DNC also pointed to Weingarten’s support for Wikler in a statement to Fox News Digital: «Ever since the horse she bet on in the Chairs race lost, she has always been on the other side of the fence as Ken — this is no surprise.»

Weingarten was also among those in the party who supported Hogg’s controversial plan to primary incumbent older Democrats in safe blue districts. 

Hogg’s decision to leave the DNC followed a damning Politico report, which included leaked audio from a Zoom meeting of Martin lamenting over Hogg’s fallout at the DNC, claiming it had made it harder for Democrats to do their jobs and for Martin to demonstrate his ability to lead.

Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin speaks with Fox News on Dec. 12, 2024 in Washington D.C. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)

«I don’t think you intended this, but you essentially destroyed any chance I have to show the leadership that I need to. So, it’s really frustrating,» Martin said. 

Martin affirmed the DNC would stay neutral in Democratic primaries after Hogg’s $20 million primary pledge. The DNC chair gave Hogg the ultimatum to either rescind his vice chair position or forego his political influence through his PAC. 

However, that did not stop Hogg from defying advice and wading into additional Democratic primaries by endorsing Virginia state Del. Irene Shin in the special election to replace the late Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va.

Members voted Wednesday to uphold the Credentials Committee’s resolution proposed by longtime Democratic Party activist, Kalyn Free, to host a re-election for two vice chair positions, which were held by Hogg and DNC Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta. 

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Martin commended Hogg’s decision Wednesday, thanking him for «his years of activism, organizing, and fighting for his generation,» as the Democratic Party seemed prepared to leave their Hogg drama in the dust. 

The union leaders’ departure is the latest public infighting to plague the Democratic Party in the aftermath of losing the White House and Congress in 2024. 

Weingarten and Saunders did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

As the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran escalates, many say that the airstrikes present a potential opportunity for significant political transformation. 

Iranian Americans and Israeli government officials have been increasingly vocal in their calls for regime change, advocating for a shift toward a more democratic and transparent governance structure.

Exiled Iranian Crown Prince HRH Reza Pahlavi told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo that it is only a «matter of time» before the Iranian regime is toppled and Iranians «have a tremendous opportunity.»

LIVE UPDATES: ISRAEL-IRAN CONFLICT

«To rise and get rid of this regime, because we always believe that the ultimate solution to the problem is for this regime to no longer be there,» Pahlavi said speaking on «Sunday Morning Futures.»

Beverly Hill, California, plastic surgeon Dr. Sheila Nazarian left Iran when she was 6 years old along with her family.

The decision to leave Iran was driven by the oppressive changes following the Iranian Revolution in 1979 concerning the treatment of women. 

Nazarian told Fox News Digital her parents did not want her and her sister to grow up in such a restrictive society and believes all Iranians «want the fall of this regime.»

EXILED CROWN PRINCE SAYS IRANIAN PEOPLE HAVE ‘TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY’ TO TOPPLE WEAKENED REGIME

«Everyone is thankful to Israel for taking out these brutal Islamist theocrats who have been implicit in raping, torturing, jailing, murdering, and exiling Iranians for 45 years, so I think we’re all on the same page that this regime needs to go,» said Nazarian.

Protesters chant slogans during a protest over the death of a woman who was detained by the morality police, in downtown Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 21, 2022. (AP Photo)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday an Iranian regime change «could certainly be the result» of the escalating conflict, calling on citizens to seize «opportunity.»

«80% of the people will throw these theological thugs out. I mean, they murder them. They oppress them for 46 years. They yearn for freedom… they shoot women because their hair is uncovered, they shoot students,» said Netanyahu.

TOP ADVISOR TO IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER KILLED IN ISRAELI STRIKES, STATE MEDIA SAYS

Dr. Sheila Nazarian and her family. (Dr. Sheila Nazarian)

Israel has marked significant blows to Tehran’s military leadership, eliminating a slew of key military figures and scientists while attacking Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

NETANYAHU CALLS ON IRANIAN CITIZENS TO SEIZE ‘OPPORTUNITY’ FOR REGIME CHANGE
Nazarian and Pahlavi have both stated that the regime is at its most vulnerable point, urging the Iranian military to take advantage of the situation. 

Iranian police arrive to disperse a protest to mark 40 days since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, whose tragedy sparked Iran’s biggest anti-government movement in over a decade, in Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (AP)

«I do think that it’s going to take some sort of force of power, whether it’s the military. Presenting a coup or others in the region that are armed. For example, the Kurds in the mountainside, helping the populace overthrow this paper tiger regime,» said Nazarian.

She shared that Americans need to understand the regime does not have the same values as the U.S.

«They value martyrdom and death. If that isn’t a 180 difference in core value, I don’t know what is. They don’t want to be American. They chant death to America. Americans think it is the right way and the right path and so humane, they view it as actually stupidity,» said Nazarian. 

EXPERTS WARN IRAN’S NUCLEAR DOUBLE-TALK DESIGNED TO BUY TIME, UNDERMINE US PRESSURE

Former Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback said America must support regime change in Iran.

Iran rejected ceasefire negotiations, telling Qatari and Omani mediators that they will only pursue negotiations after they complete their response. (AP Photo/Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader)

«Our government should provide maximum support—diplomatic, economic, and technological—to help Iranians overthrow their oppressors and establish a government that respects human rights and religious liberty,» said Brownback.

Nazarian expressed her gratitude to President Donald Trump’s recognition of the necessity for Israel to maintain a firm stance against the Iranian regime. 

Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi on stage at the 2025 Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy. (UN Watch)

«We appreciate that President Trump understands, unlike his predecessors, there is no negotiating with the Iranian regime,» said Nazarian.

MIKE POMPEO: ISRAEL’S STRIKES ON IRAN ARE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WHOLE WORLD IS BENEFITTING

She added, «The only language this regime understands is force and power. They see negotiations and diplomacy as weakness and a delay tactic to be able to do whatever it is they want to do, enrich their uranium, become a nuclear power.»

Dr. Sheila Nazarian expressed her gratitude to President Donald Trump’s recognition of the necessity for Israel to maintain a firm stance against the Iranian regime. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Nazarian says taking a diplomatic route «just delays tactics with this regime and every Iranian in the diaspora understands this.»

Early Monday morning local time, Iran rejected ceasefire negotiations, an official told Reuters.

The Iranians told Qatari and Omani mediators that Iran would only go to the negotiating table after they completed their response to the Israeli pre-emptive strikes.

TRUMP PROMISES TO RESPOND WITH ‘FULL STRENGTH AND MIGHT’ OF US MILITARY IF IRAN ATTACKS AMERICA

Nazarian says she spoke with President Trump during a rally in Philadelphia on the campaign trail advocating for Persian Jewish Americans.

«I told him the Persian Jews of Los Angeles love you, and they thank you. He looked me straight in the eye, and he said, ‘I’m going to be the best president the Jews have ever known,’» said Nazarian.

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Nazarian said while growing up in Iran, despite her Jewish faith, her family never mentioned their Jewish identity due to the lack of freedom of religious expression and the fear of severe repercussions.

Canadá está desplegando la alfombra roja para algunas de las mayores potencias del mundo y sus aliados, en medio de una peligrosa escalada en Medio Oriente y la remodelación de las alianzas mundiales por parte del presidente Donald Trump.

La reunión anual del Grupo de los 7 —Alemania, Canadá, Estados Unidos, Francia, Italia, Japón y el Reino Unido— es un importante foro en el que Estados Unidos y muchos de sus socios tradicionales se han reunido en el pasado para encontrar puntos en común sobre cuestiones críticas. Comienza hoy en Kananaskis, un impresionante centro turístico de las Montañas Rocosas canadienses, en Alberta, y se prolongará hasta última hora del martes.

Aunque la agenda incluye los incendios forestales, la economía mundial y Ucrania, la mayoría de los líderes asistirán con un objetivo en mente: reunirse con Trump y, si lo hacen, evitar cualquier desavenencia.

Algunas cumbres anteriores han ofrecido poco más que un cortés apretón de manos y una alegre foto de grupo. En otras se ha vivido un drama sin guion.

La reunión de 2018, celebrada también en Canadá, fue memorable por el espectacular desencuentro entre Trump y Justin Trudeau, quien era entonces primer ministro canadiense. También produjo una foto icónica de la entonces canciller alemana, Angela Merkel, inclinándose sobre Trump mientras discrepaban sobre permitir que Rusia asistiera a las reuniones del grupo. La imagen captó la preocupación de los líderes mundiales por Trump.

¿Quiénes participan de la cumbre del G7?

A la cumbre del G7 asisten los dirigentes de los siete países miembros y de la Unión Europea, pero también se invita a dirigentes de otros importantes aliados mundiales. Este año la asistencia será inusualmente concurrida. El primer ministro de Canadá, Mark Carney, quien este año ostenta la presidencia del G7, ha invitado a los dirigentes de varios países no miembros: India, Brasil, Sudáfrica, México, Ucrania, Australia y Corea del Sur, y al secretario general de la OTAN.

¿Cuáles son los temas?

Los líderes del G7 se centrarán el lunes en la economía mundial. También está previsto que discutan problemas como los incendios forestales, que actualmente están causando estragos cerca de Alberta, así como el tráfico de drogas y de migrantes.

El martes por la mañana está previsto que añadan a Volodímir Zelenski y Mark Rutte a su grupo para discutir la guerra en Ucrania, y más tarde el martes ampliarán su grupo para invitar a los demás líderes.

Tanto la economía mundial como Ucrania serán temas difíciles este año. Los aranceles impuestos por Trump a todos los países que estarán representados en Canadá amenazan con acercar al mundo a una recesión, mientras que Estados Unidos ha dicho que quiere que Europa asuma una parte mucho mayor de la responsabilidad de proporcionar apoyo militar a Ucrania.

Es probable que las conversaciones importantes se produzcan en reuniones más pequeñas o bilaterales. Es probable que Trump se reúna con Carney y Claudia Sheinbaum de México para hablar sobre el futuro del acuerdo de libre comercio entre Estados Unidos, México y Canadá. Ese pacto está en ruinas después de que Trump impusiera aranceles a las importaciones de los dos principales socios comerciales de Estados Unidos, deshaciendo décadas de integración comercial norteamericana.

¿Qué decisiones se tomarán en la cumbre del G7?

Las cumbres del G7 también han visto acciones sustanciales. Durante los dos últimos años, fueron el foro en el que los líderes acordaron sanciones conjuntas contra Rusia por su invasión a gran escala de Ucrania.

Pero el enfoque de Trump hacia el comercio mundial y la política exterior, y el alejamiento de Estados Unidos del orden mundial que creó en las últimas décadas, significa que los líderes no esperan poder ponerse de acuerdo en muchas cosas.

Funcionarios canadienses dijeron que estaban desechando las esperanzas de emitir un comunicado conjunto, la tradicional declaración que los líderes emiten al final de este tipo de reuniones.

Aun así, las reuniones bilaterales entre Trump y otros líderes, o entre otras naciones, podrían dar lugar a anuncios o decisiones menores.

Será importante observar si los líderes pueden hacer una declaración coordinada sobre la guerra en Medio Oriente o en Ucrania. De no ser así, será un duro recordatorio de lo lejos que se está alejando Estados Unidos de sus aliados tradicionales en las cuestiones más importantes del momento.

La presencia de Trump significa que siempre hay un elemento de dramatismo y sorpresa. Los canadienses se han vuelto bruscamente contra él desde que empezó a amenazar la soberanía de Canadá y a decir que quiere convertir al país en el 51.o estado.

La Real Policía Montada de Canadá ha dicho que espera protestas en Calgary, una ciudad importante, y en Banff, una localidad turística más pequeña, ambas cercanas a Kananaskis.