Schumer Blocks Trump From Appointing Another Right-Wing Judge
The new Senate majority leader says Democrats will reject any nominee they consider extreme, regardless of whether they hold the chamber until the next presidential election.
By Luana Sato ·
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer stated on Thursday that his party will prevent President Donald Trump from installing a conservative jurist on the Supreme Court.
The pledge arrived two days after Democrats secured a majority in the Senate during the November midterm elections, a shift that surprised many political analysts who had predicted a Republican hold based on favorable maps.
Schumer told the Associated Press that he is not yet deciding whether to keep a judicial vacancy open until the next presidential election, a tactic former Republican leader Mitch McConnell used in 2016. However, he confirmed that Democrats intend to block what he called "crappy nominees" from the Supreme Court, lower federal courts, and the presidential Cabinet.
"The bottom line is we're not going to allow a right-winger on the court," Schumer said.
The party now controls at least 51 seats, with a potential majority of 56 if they win pending races in Mississippi and Alaska. Schumer described this as a durable majority built over 20 years of managing the party's Senate campaign operations.
He believes this strength allows Democrats to force Trump to select more moderate candidates and to halt the ongoing conflict with Iran. The new leadership also plans to focus on lowering consumer prices, healthcare costs, housing, tariffs, childcare, and energy bills.
Schumer did not specify how he would bypass the presidential veto, though Trump posted an image of a red hat with the word "veto" on election night. The leader also avoided giving a firm answer on whether he would attempt to eliminate the filibuster, a process he tried and failed to remove during the previous administration.
When asked about a third impeachment of Trump, Schumer said the decision rests with the House. He added that he would support an impeachment effort against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which House members have already initiated.
Schumer credits the election victory to a focus on local economic issues in Republican states. Democrats won seats in Iowa, Maine, and Ohio by emphasizing the impact of federal policies on local industries such as farming and energy.
In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed won the seat after defeating Schumer's original candidate in the primary. Schumer noted that he poured $67 million into that race and maintains regular communication with El-Sayed.
Some members of the new caucus are calling for a change in leadership. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen said the party needs an open discussion about its next leader, while Vermont Senator Peter Welch said Schumer must adjust to the new era of power.
Schumer is up for reelection in 2028 and said he is currently focused on the 2027 cycle.
