MSNBC Host Grills Chuck Schumer as Spending Bill Pushback Mounts

MSNBC host Chris Hayes didn’t hold back as he pressed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on his perceived lack of strong opposition to President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers. Schumer, facing heat from within his own party, stood his ground during the interview on "All In With Chris Hayes."

The controversy stems from Schumer’s decision to side with Republicans in voting for a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal government running. Critics within the Democratic Party have accused him of failing to hold the line, and some are even calling for his resignation. Defending his actions, Schumer pointed to Trump’s persistent popularity as a major barrier to Democratic leverage, emphasizing the need for a long-term strategy.

"We have started doing this day in, day out, every day, fighting relentlessly. His numbers have started to go down from 51 to 47. If we keep at it, and keep at it, and keep at it, his numbers will be much lower. He will not only be less popular, but less effective," Schumer explained during the interview. It’s a strategy built on persistence, but let’s be honest—this sounds like running a marathon in quicksand.

Schumer did acknowledge that Democrats need to pick their battles carefully, conceding that some standoffs might even lead to a government shutdown. "We will have the higher ground, and we’re going to do it," he declared with confidence, adding, "Watch us." While bold words are great, one can’t help but wonder if anyone is actually watching—or just rolling their eyes.

Hayes fired back, suggesting that such tactics might work under a more conventional president like Mitt Romney, but not under Trump, who Hayes described as "ambitiously trying to seize all power and create a presidential dictatorship in the United States." Yikes—Hayes isn’t mincing words here.

When pushed on what Democrats would do if they fail to dent Trump’s favorability ratings enough to gain leverage, Schumer insisted, "First we get it way down, he’s going to have much less. This worked in 2017." Hayes interjected with exasperation, "It’s different though. My God." Let’s just say the tension in this interview was palpable.

In one particularly uncomfortable moment, Hayes played a montage of criticism from prominent Democrats, including Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who accused Schumer of giving away too much in the CR negotiations. Pelosi’s remark—"I, myself, don’t give away anything for nothing. And I think that’s what happened the other day."—elicited an immediate defense from Schumer. He argued that Democrats had no viable alternative: "It would be nice if we had a third choice."

Schumer further asserted that a government shutdown would have been worse than passing the CR bill, a point that may resonate with some but clearly hasn’t quelled the internal dissent within his party. And if this interview is any indication, Schumer’s road ahead looks anything but smooth.