The Democratic National Committee‘s possible removal of Vice Chairman David Hogg has ignited an internal firestorm, splitting party members over what some say is a sham attempt to quash a young leader.

The DNC vice chair used his organization Leaders We Deserve to back liberal state Sen. Robert Peters in an open congressional race in Illinois. Hogg has drawn criticism over his strategy of involving himself in primaries.

The DNC cited a procedural concern, but Hogg said it is “impossible to ignore the broader context” of his criticisms.