The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which has traditionally backed Democrat politicians, is increasingly directing its support toward Republicans ahead of next year's midterm elections.
For the first time in nearly 30 years, the Teamsters, representing 1.3 million members, did not endorse the Democratic Party's presidential candidate last year.
'Our members are working people whose interests cut across party lines.'
President Sean O'Brien claimed the union's decision not to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris was due to her failure to answer all of his members' questions during a roundtable discussion and her alleged arrogant remark that she would win "with you or without you," referring to the union.
Leading up to Harris' failed race against President Donald Trump last year, O'Brien openly declared that the Democratic Party had abandoned working-class Americans.
"I'll be honest with you, I'm a Democrat, but they have f**ked us over for the last 40 years," he remarked at the time.
While the union did not endorse either presidential candidate, O'Brien spoke last year at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
RELATED: Union boss slams Harris for boasting she'd win election 'with or without' endorsement
Following the presidential race, the Teamsters have continued to place more financial support behind Republican candidates, Politico reported.
The Teamsters' political action committee — Democrat, Republican, Independent Voter Education — reportedly donated $112,000 to Republicans, including $5,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee and $50,000 to the Republican Attorneys General Association.
When asked for comment, Teamsters spokesperson Kara Deniz directed Blaze News to her previous statements made to Politico.
"Our members are working people whose interests cut across party lines," Deniz told the outlet. "And there's no value in living in a bubble … where you only talk to certain people to the exclusion of others."
Republican candidates who received Teamster contributions included Reps. Rob Bresnahan (Pa.), Mike Kelly (Pa.), Nicole Malliotakis (N.Y.), and Chris Smith (N.J.). The Teamsters also donated to several Republican senators, including Deb Fischer (Neb.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Jon Husted (Ohio), and Dave McCormick (Pa.).
NRCC spokesperson Mike Marinella told Politico, "Hardworking men and women across the country are rallying behind Republicans up and down the ballot because we fight for their jobs, their families, and their future."
"Democrats have abandoned them for their deeply out-of-touch, radical policies. We're bringing these voters home, and they will be key in growing our House majority," Marinella said.
While the Teamsters' contributions to Republicans have significantly increased, the union still gives more donations to Democrats. The DRIVE PAC reportedly dished out $200,000 to the Democratic Attorneys General Association and $100,000 to the Democratic Governors Association during the second quarter.
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Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President Donald Trump's pick to head the Department of Labor, was confirmed Monday night with bipartisan support in the Senate, completing the president's Cabinet.
Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed in a 67-32 vote, with 17 Democrats joining 50 Republicans. Three Senate Republicans opposed Chavez-DeRemer's confirmation: Rand Paul of Kentucky, Ted Budd of North Carolina, and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
'Secretary Chavez-DeRemer will have a critical opportunity to put the interests of working families ahead of Big Labor bosses by empowering every American worker to join a union on their terms. I hope she takes it.'
"I'm deeply honored to be confirmed as the 30th Department of Labor Secretary under President Donald Trump," Chavez-DeRemer said in a Monday statement. "As promised, I'll work tirelessly to put American Workers First by fighting for good-paying jobs, safe working conditions, and secure retirement benefits. Let's get to work."
Despite her nomination by Trump, Chavez-DeRemer has received some pushback from Republicans.
Paul was the only Republican "no" vote during her committee vote, citing concerns about her previous support for the PRO Act, a bill that expands workers' rights to unionize. This pro-union position comes into conflict with right-to-work laws that Paul and other Republicans have championed.
Notably, Chavez-DeRemer reversed her position on the PRO Act when Paul pressed her during her confirmation hearing.
"This is the question, whether this is sort of a deathbed reversal or whether or not she is truly for this," Paul told reporters after the hearing.
McConnell echoed Paul's concerns in a statement Monday, arguing that Chavez-DeRemer had a policy record of forcing "hardworking Americans into union membership."
"The American people demand and deserve change after four years of economic heartache under the 'most pro-union administration in American history,'" McConnell said in a statement. "Unfortunately, Lori Chavez-DeRemer's record pushing policies that force hardworking Americans into union membership suggests more of the same."
"Most Americans believe joining a union should be a personal choice — not a mandate — which is why more than half the states, including Kentucky, have adopted right-to-work laws. Secretary Chavez-DeRemer will have a critical opportunity to put the interests of working families ahead of Big Labor bosses by empowering every American worker to join a union on their terms. I hope she takes it."
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Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President Donald Trump's pick to head the Department of Labor, cleared a procedural vote Thursday with the help of Senate Democrats, advancing her nomination to the Senate floor.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee advanced Chavez-DeRemer's nomination in a 13-9 vote with the support of Democratic Sens. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, and John Hickenlooper of Colorado as well as 10 Republicans.
'As the daughter of a Teamster, Lori Chavez-DeRemer knows the importance of carrying a union card and what it means to grow up in a middle-class household.'
Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only GOP senator to vote against Chavez-DeRemer's nomination, citing concerns over her previous support for the PRO Act. Notably, Chavez-DeRemer reversed her position on the PRO Act when Paul pressed her about it in her confirmation hearing.
"This is the question, whether this is sort of a death-bed reversal or whether or not she is truly for this," Paul told reporters after the hearing.
"I'm going to think about her answers and think about whether or not a conversion in this last moment is sincere," Paul added.
Although Chavez-DeRemer received support from several Democrats, not all of them entirely endorsed the nominee.
“I have some concerns … but it just gets worse from here,” Kaine said.
Chavez-DeRemer previously served in Congress, representing Oregon's 5th Congressional District from 2023 to 2025, although she was ousted by her Democratic challenger in November. During her time in office, Chavez-DeRemer was regarded as a more moderate, pro-union Republican, reflecting her swing district.
Chavez-DeRemer additionally secured an endorsement from the Teamsters union, which is the largest union in the United States.
"As the daughter of a Teamster, Lori Chavez-DeRemer knows the importance of carrying a union card and what it means to grow up in a middle-class household,” Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said in a statement.
“Working people need someone with her experience leading the agency that is tasked with protecting workers, creating good union jobs, and rebuilding our nation’s middle class," O'Brien added. "The Teamsters are grateful to President Trump for putting American workers first by nominating Rep. Chavez-DeRemer to this important role.”
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Former Republican Rep. Lori Chaves-DeRemer of Oregon, who was nominated to head the Department of Labor, was pressed over her pro-union past during her confirmation hearing Wednesday.
During her time in the House, Chavez-DeRemer earned a reputation for being a pro-union Republican, primarily through her support of the PRO Act. In doing so, Chavez-DeRemer received pushback from Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who initially came out against her nomination.
'This is the question, whether this is sort of a death-bed reversal, or whether or not she is truly for this.'
"Her support for the PRO Act, which would not only oppose national right-to-work, but it would pre-empt state law on right-to-work," Paul previously told reporters. "I think it's not a good thing, and it'd be sort of hard for me since it's a big issue for me to support her. So I won't support her."
The PRO Act is designed to expand workers' rights to unionize, coming in conflict with right-to-work laws that have historically been backed by Republicans.
During the hearing, Paul questioned Chavez-DeRemer about her past support for the PRO Act, to which she changed her position.
"The PRO Act wasn't just about organizing or enabling unions to organize, which they already have the right to do. The PRO Act was about overturning right-to-work laws in 26 states," Paul said.
"You no longer support the aspect of the PRO Act that would have overturned state right-to-work laws?" Paul asked.
"Yes, sir," Chavez-DeRemer replied, reversing her previously held position.
Because the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions has 12 Republicans and 11 Democrats, Chavez-DeRemer will have to rely on Democrats to advance through the committee, assuming that Paul remains a no vote. Although several Democrats have signaled they are open to supporting Chavez-DeRemer, she may not need to reach across the aisle after all.
When asked if Chavez-DeRemer's answers changed his vote, Paul said he was going to continue weighing her responses.
"This is the question, whether this is sort of a death-bed reversal, or whether or not she is truly for this," Paul told reporters after the hearing.
"I'm going to think about her answers and think about whether or not a conversion in this last moment is sincere," Paul added.
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Sean O'Brien, the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, torched Vice President Kamala Harris for allegedly declaring she would win the election against President-elect Donald Trump "with or without" the union's support.
During a Monday interview on "The Tucker Carlson Show," O'Brien explained why the Teamsters refused to endorse Harris in the November presidential election. It marked the first time the union had not supported a candidate in nearly three decades.
'That's really arrogant.'
O'Brien stated that Harris had previously told Teamsters vice president Joan Corey that the union "better get on board soon" with endorsing her.
According to O'Brien, the union had repeatedly attempted to get Harris to sit down for an interview leading up to the presidential election.
"She finally agrees to come after we were putting pressure on her," he told Carlson. "I was doing interviews all over the place, saying, 'We haven't gotten invited to the DNC [Democratic National Convention]. They haven't accepted our invitation for her to come to a roundtable.'"
O'Brien explained that rank-and-file union members had prepared 16 questions for Harris to answer during the roundtable discussion. He noted that the union also held similar interviews with the other presidential candidates, including Trump, who answered all of the questions.
He claimed that Harris' team was trying to "negotiate" with the union only to ask her three questions.
"So she answers three of them, and on the fourth question, one of her operatives or one of her staff slips a note in front of me: 'This will be the last question,'" he told Carlson, noting that the roundtable was scheduled for another 20 minutes.
"Her declaration on the way out was, 'I'm gonna win with you or without you,'" O'Brien remarked.
Carlson responded, "Damn. I thought I was arrogant. That's really arrogant."
Following the roundtable event, O'Brien stated that he contacted President Joe Biden's former secretary of labor, Marty Walsh.
O'Brien claimed that he told Walsh, "Let me ask you a question, Marty. Excuse my French. Who does this f***ing lady think she is?"
"If I want support from any organization, I am not gonna point my finger in someone's face and say, 'You better get on board or else,'" he continued.
During his interview with Carlson, O'Brien also expressed concerns about Biden's health, noting that what he observed "kinda looked like elderly abuse."
"We had Biden in there, and you could just clearly tell he was not the man he was. It was kinda sad," he added.
Most Teamsters' members, 59.6%, supported Trump over Harris. The union, representing 1.3 million members, previously endorsed Biden and Hillary Clinton.
A spokesperson for Harris did not respond to a request for comment from Newsweek.
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Scott Sauritch, the president of United Steelworkers Local 2227, drew significant public attention recently when he told a writer for the New Yorkerthat despite being a longtime Democrat, he would be voting for Donald Trump in November. He also said that most of the current rank-and-file members of the union planned on doing the same.
“I don’t care what you see on TV,” Sauritch said. “The grunts in the lunchroom love Trump.”
Union members seek fair wages, safe working conditions, and respectful treatment. Unfortunately, their leaders seem more focused on personal gain.
It isn’t just the steelworkers making the jump to Trump. Poll after poll indicates that he is the clear favorite among members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
It’s little wonder why union members are running away from Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party. Democrats, who receive more than $1 billion in political and election help from the unions every cycle, have been more than willing to turn their backs on corrupt union bosses’ abuse of the rank and file, and the rank and file have noticed.
Take how Harris recently endorsed the high-profile strike led by Harold Daggett, the boss of the International Longshoremen’s Association.
Daggett, who reportedly makes $900,000 a year in salary and bonuses, has threatened to “cripple” the economy if he doesn’t get the money and contract terms he demands. This Bentley-driving union boss, whom the Department of Justice accused of being an “associate”’ of the Genovese crime family, doesn’t care about his union workers who want to get back to work and provide for their families — he just cares about lining his pockets.
Yet despite how out of touch Daggett and the ILA (which provided 100% of its 2023-2024 PAC money and 97% of its 2021-2022 funds to Democrats) are with the union’s rank and file, Harris and other Democrats have chosen to unapologetically rally behind the unsavory union leader.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Washington state rejected a generous 30% pay increase for its members and called for a strike, demanding a 40% raise. Instead of joining the picket line, the fat and happy union leaders went on a vacation to a beach in Mexico.
Talk about being out of touch with their dues-paying members, who would be thrilled to receive such a massive pay hike. Yet far-left politicians like Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) have publicly supportedthe union bosses’ tactics.
In late August, the U.S. Justice Department indicted two former presidents of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers for embezzling $20 million from members. Additionally, two former leaders of the United Auto Workers recently received prison sentences of more than two years for corruption. Despite these charges, Democratic politicians refused to condemn the leaders of these unions, which direct 98% and 100% of their political contributions to the Democratic Party. They also failed to advocate for protections for the union members betrayed by their leadership. Even support for right-to-work laws, which would allow workers to leave a corrupt union without risking their jobs, went unmentioned.
Union members seek fair wages, safe working conditions, and respectful treatment. Unfortunately, their leaders seem more focused on personal gain, treating their members as tools for their own enrichment.
Democratic politicians aren’t stupid. They understand all this but are all too willing to ignore this exploitation, unapologetically supporting these union leaders to keep their political gravy trains going.
With progressive politicians being quick to side with the corrupt union bosses who fund their campaigns, it’s no wonder so many exploited union members want nothing more to do with Harris and the Democratic Party.
It’s only a matter of time before the political consequences of this unholy alliance smack them right in the face come election time. And only then might we finally see this alliance start to break.
The Democratic National Committee said it flew a banner over Comerica Park in Detroit, calling Donald Trump "anti-union," but no recollections of the event have been reported.
The idea, according to the Kamala Harris campaign, was for the DNC to fly a banner over Comerica Park — home of the Detroit Tigers — leading up to the playoff game on Wednesday afternoon between the Tigers and Cleveland Guardians.
A banner reading, "Trump is an anti-union scab! Vote Kamala!" purportedly flew over the stadium from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., right before the first pitch at 3:08 p.m.
However, multiple outlets including Blaze News and the Independent were unable to locate any fan photos or video of the banner actually flying near the stadium. It would be safe to assume that thousands of fans would be in their seats at least eight minutes prior to the start of the game and therefore would see the banner, but anything is possible.
The alleged banner was meant to mimic billboards the DNC erected in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin in September. The 19 billboards in total displayed the same anti-Trump, union messaging, according to the Washington Examiner.
In fact, readers would be hard-pressed to find any photos of those billboards on social media or online, either. While other variations of the billboards from the Mad Dog Pac are easy to find, there appears to be only one reference to a DNC-funded billboard of this nature seen in public, posted by the Democrats themselves.
Nevertheless, the language is meant to capitalize on statements made by United Autoworkers Union President Shawn Fain, who wore a shirt that read, "Trump is a scab," to the DNC in August.
The two parties have battled over union support, with the Teamsters union openly criticizing the Democrats.
Speaking to comedian Theo Von on his podcast "This Past Weekend," Sean O'Brien, general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said, "I'll be honest with you, I'm a Democrat, but they have f***ed us over for the last 40 years."
"And for once, and not all of them, but for once, we're standing up as a union, probably the only one right now, saying, 'What the f*** have you done for us?'" O'Brien added.
The Teamsters union did not officially endorse either candidate, the first time it has abstained since 1988.
The Tigers shut out the Guardians 3-0; no banners were seemingly flown after the victory.
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Cassidy told reporters that the legislative package is not meant to 'tear up unions' or clash with the bills introduced by the Hawley, Moreno, and Marshall wing.
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