Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat representing New York, stood his ground at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Friday, March 14, 2025. Photo Credit: Allison Robbert/Bloomberg—Getty ImagesDespite mounting pressure to step down as Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer remained resolute in an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press. The Democratic leader asserted that he had no intentions of relinquishing his position.Schumer has faced backlash for his role in helping prevent a government shutdown by supporting the Republicans’ temporary spending plan, a move that went against the majority of his Democratic colleagues in both the Senate and the House. Many within his party have criticized him, particularly those advocating for a more forceful approach in opposing President Donald Trump.However, Schumer defended his decision to vote for the bill, emphasizing that averting a government shutdown was crucial to prevent chaos. He maintained that he believed he acted in the best interest of the country and his party, describing his choice as a principled stance.“I am not resigning,” Schumer affirmed to host Kristen Welker, acknowledging the backlash he anticipated. “A shutdown would be far more detrimental. During a shutdown, the Executive Branch wields unchecked power to deem what is deemed ‘essential,’ without oversight from the courts.”During the televised interview on Sunday, Schumer reiterated that Democrats were resolute in their opposition to Trump and were committed to showcasing the flaws in his policies to hasten his decline in popularity, aiming to make him the fastest lame duck president in recent history.Schumer also condemned Trump’s recent call to impeach a judge who ruled against the administration on the deportation of individuals alleged to be Venezuelan gang members, emphasizing the threat he posed to democracy. In response to concerns about the constitution, Schumer criticized Trump’s disregard for the law and his belief in unchecked authority, warning of potential repercussions if the president defied the Supreme Court.Schumer vowed that Democrats would mobilize against any unconstitutional actions by Trump, potentially sparking a widespread movement across the nation. “It could trigger a powerful, nationwide response unlike anything we’ve seen in years,” he predicted.
