Progressive Leader Says Schumer Faces 'Uphill' Climb to Win Back Democrats' Trust

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is facing growing discontent within his own party after backing a Republican-crafted federal government funding bill that narrowly averted a government shutdown. The decision has sparked fierce criticism from Democrats, especially progressives, who accuse Schumer of compromising Democratic principles in favor of political expediency.

Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC), expressed skepticism about Schumer's ability to regain the confidence of disillusioned Democrats. Green remarked, "Can he win back the trust of those who don’t have faith in Democratic leadership? The answer is yes, but it’s uphill." That hill is starting to look more like Mount Everest.

Schumer initially signaled that Senate Democrats would oppose the GOP's funding bill, only to reverse course the next day, citing a need to prevent a partial government shutdown. In an interview on ABC's "The View," Schumer described his choice as "difficult" but necessary to avoid what he called "devastation like we’ve never seen." However, this justification has done little to appease critics within his own ranks.

Adding fuel to the fire, Rep. Glenn Ivey of Maryland became the first congressional Democrat to call for Schumer's resignation as Senate Democratic Leader. Even longtime allies such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz have voiced their disappointment.

Progressive groups like the PCCC and Indivisible are leading the charge against Schumer. While Indivisible has outright demanded his resignation, the PCCC is gauging its members' sentiments through a questionnaire. As of Tuesday afternoon, 84% of respondents expressed a lack of confidence in Schumer's leadership. That’s a landslide, and not the kind any politician wants to be caught in.

National polls from NBC News and CNN further highlight the growing disillusionment with Democratic leadership, showing the party's favorability ratings at record lows. Green emphasized the urgency for Democrats to go on the offensive, criticizing leaders for what he described as a strategy of "caving."

Schumer’s recent actions have also disrupted his planned book tour, with protests organized by groups like the PCCC leading to the abrupt postponement of events due to "security concerns." Green called this a moment to "channel public anger, not hide from it."

Despite the mounting pressure, Schumer defended his leadership in a "CBS Mornings" interview, stating, "I am the best at winning Senate seats." Whether that claim holds water in the eyes of his critics remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear—Schumer has a long road ahead if he hopes to mend fences with his party.