In a stunning display of political opportunism, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has attempted to pin blame on the Trump administration for a tragic accident involving a Mexican Navy training ship, the Cuauhtémoc, which collided with the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday, May 17, 2025. The crash, which killed two naval cadets and injured at least 17 others, occurred when the 297-foot tall ship lost power and drifted into the iconic structure, snapping its masts and leaving crew members dangling perilously from rigging. Schumer’s claim, widely criticized as baseless, has ignited a firestorm of backlash, with many calling it a reflexive and “cartoonishly stupid” attack on President Donald Trump.
During a Sunday press conference, Schumer suggested that budget and staffing cuts to the U.S. Coast Guard, implemented by the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), may have contributed to the disaster. He specifically pointed to a hiring freeze at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), alleging it impaired the Coast Guard’s Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), a system he likened to air traffic control for waterways. “We know there has been meddling by the Trump administration into USCG staffing,” Schumer stated, calling for an investigation into whether these cuts impacted command, communication, and coordination.
The U.S. Coast Guard and DHS swiftly rebuked Schumer’s claims, labeling them “false” and urging the senator to “get his facts straight before he misleads the American people.” In a statement, the Coast Guard confirmed that the VTS was “fully functional” during the incident and that no other ships were involved, rendering the system irrelevant to the crash. The DHS further clarified that the Coast Guard has been exempt from hiring freezes, dismantling Schumer’s narrative. Maritime experts and city officials, including New York Mayor Eric Adams, attributed the crash to a mechanical failure on the Cuauhtémoc, exacerbated by strong East River currents, not U.S. policy.
Schumer’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism on social media and from conservative outlets, with commentators accusing him of exploiting a tragedy for political gain. Posts on X called his claims “senile” and “absurd,” with some users questioning his cognitive fitness. The incident, which occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, has prompted a joint investigation by U.S. and Mexican authorities, with the National Transportation Safety Board deploying a team to examine the circumstances.
As the Mexican Navy mourns the loss of cadets América Yamilet Sánchez and Adal Jair Marcos, Schumer’s attempt to link the tragedy to Trump has been widely condemned as a low blow, further eroding his credibility amid an already polarized political climate.
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Mexican Navy ship loses control and rams into a bridge.
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) May 19, 2025
Chuck Schumer: Trump and DOGE must be held accountable.
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