Fact Check: Randi Weingarten, the leader of the American Federation of Teachers, and Lee Saunders, the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, resigned from the Democratic National Committee on June 5, 2023.

Fact Check: Randi Weingarten and Lee Saunders Resigned from the DNC on June 5, 2023

What We Know

On June 5, 2023, Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, and Lee Saunders, the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, both resigned from their positions within the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Their resignations were prompted by disagreements with the DNC's chair, Ken Martin, and concerns over the party's direction. Weingarten expressed in her resignation letter that she felt "out of step" with the leadership and did not want to continue questioning the party's efforts to engage more communities (Washington Post, New York Times).

Both leaders had previously supported a rival candidate, Ben Wikler, in the DNC chair election, which may have contributed to their decision to step down (New York Times). Their letters of resignation became public amidst ongoing internal conflicts within the DNC, highlighting a significant moment of discord within the party (CNN).

Analysis

The claim that Randi Weingarten and Lee Saunders resigned from the DNC on June 5, 2023, is supported by multiple reputable sources. The Washington Post and the New York Times both reported on the resignations, detailing the context and reasons behind their decisions. Weingarten's letter explicitly stated her feelings of being out of sync with the party's current leadership, which aligns with the broader narrative of internal strife within the DNC (Washington Post, New York Times).

The reliability of these sources is high, as both the Washington Post and the New York Times are established news organizations known for their thorough reporting and fact-checking standards. Additionally, the context of their resignations, including their support for a rival candidate and concerns about the party's direction, is corroborated by multiple outlets, including CNN and CBS News (CNN, CBS News).

While some sources may present the information with varying degrees of emphasis on the implications of the resignations, the core facts remain consistent across reports. The statements made by Weingarten and Saunders reflect a significant moment of dissent within the DNC, indicating their concerns about the party's future direction.

Conclusion

Verdict: True

The claim that Randi Weingarten and Lee Saunders resigned from the Democratic National Committee on June 5, 2023, is accurate. Their resignations were officially reported by multiple credible news sources, and their letters of resignation highlighted their concerns about the party's leadership and direction. The consistency of reporting across reputable outlets supports the validity of this claim.

Sources

1. Two top union leaders leave DNC, dealing blow to Chair Ken Martin
2. Randi Weingarten Quits D.N.C. Post in Dispute With Chairman
3. Teachers union boss Randi Weingarten and labor chief ditch DNC over ...
4. Union leaders Randi Weingarten and Lee Saunders quit DNC posts in the ...
5. Union leaders Randi Weingarten and Lee Saunders quit ...
6. Randi Weingarten, Lee Saunders quit DNC in latest blow to Dem Party ...
7. Two large labor union leaders leave DNC over ...
8. Two union leaders announce departure from DNC; party ...