Chuck Schumer Declares Democrats’ Mission Is To ‘Go After Trump’ As Party Approval Craters

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asserted his party’s role is to take down President Donald Trump’s numbers as Democrats face a popularity crisis.

Polls published by CNN/SSRS and NBC News on Sunday found that the Democratic Party has hit all-time lows in popularity among voters — 29% and 27% respectively — while Trump’s approval rating is tied with its highest point across both of his terms at 47%, per NBC News. Schumer, speaking on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” said that weakening Trump’s popularity would help Democrats mitigate his ability to accomplish his agenda.

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“We are fighting on all of the fronts to go after Trump, not have a circular firing squad, which Democrats tend to do, particularly when there’s such an enemy as Trump, so that the basic premise that we are going after him on — and [House Minority Leader] Hakeem [Jeffries] and I are working on this very closely together … is that Trump is taking things away from the middle class, from you, to pay for tax cuts for the rich,” Schumer said.

Despite Schumer characterizing himself as being in strong alignment with Jeffries, the House minority leader refused to weigh in on whether the Senate needed “new leadership” on Friday after Schumer on Thursday signaled support for passing a GOP-backed government funding bill to avert a partial shutdown.

“And we have so many different areas to go after him on. And we’re already bringing his numbers down. We’ll keep bringing them down more and more and more. If, you know, six months from now, his numbers are really low, he’ll have not only less popularity, he’ll have less authority,” Schumer continued. “That’s our job and we’re doing it. And there are going to be some bigger issues where we’re going to make a stand as well … You got to do it in a smart way and not let him drive you into a trap and let your anger at him end up hurting you.”

Schumer also made similar remarks during a Saturday New York Times interview when asked about potential primary challenges in New York in 2028.

“I am focused on bringing Trump’s numbers down, his popularity down, exposing what he has done to America and what he will do,” he said. “That’s my focus right now and that’s what I’m focusing on 24/7. You know, three years from now is a long way to speculate. I believe that my hard work against Trump will pay off.”

Nearly two-thirds of Democrats want their congressional lawmakers to avoid making compromises with Trump, according to the NBC News poll.

Voters have even worse perceptions of congressional Democrats than the party in general, CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten said on Monday.

“Holy Toledo, ‘voters’ views of the Democrats in Congress:’ Among all voters, disapprove 68%,” Enten said. “And look at the approved number, just 21%, even lower than the Democratic Party at large. This is the lowest on record for Democrats, according to Quinnipiac University polling.”

Enten also stated that “the plurality of Democratic voters disapprove of Democrats in Congress at 49%, and just 40% approve.” calling the numbers “horrible” for the party.