Schumer vows to block Trump’s Supreme Court picks

Chuck Schumer says Democrats will use their incoming Senate majority to keep President Donald Trump from placing a right-wing nominee on the Supreme Court. In an Associated Press interview on November 5, the Senate Democratic leader also said the party would oppose unsuitable nominees to lower courts and Cabinet posts.

Schumer did not say whether he would leave a Supreme Court vacancy unfilled until after the next presidential election, as Republicans did in 2016. He also declined to say whether Democrats would try to eliminate the Senate filibuster, which generally requires 60 votes to advance legislation.

Democrats won a decisive majority in Tuesday’s midterm elections. The party could reach 56 seats if it also wins contests in Mississippi and Alaska, which remain undecided. Schumer says the majority could last, and credits candidate recruitment and campaigns focused on local concerns and lowering costs.

He said Democrats’ priorities include healthcare, housing, tariffs, childcare and energy bills. The party also plans to investigate Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and scrutinize the Trump administration. Schumer said passing legislation would still require Republican support, and he offered few details on how Democrats would work with Trump, who has signaled he would veto legislation.

Schumer is expected to face little immediate opposition in the party’s leadership vote, though some Democrats want a discussion about new leadership. He would not say whether he will seek another Senate term in 2028, saying his focus is on 2027.

Democrats say Senate majority will check Trump’s court picks

Senate Democrats are preparing to use their new majority to stop President Donald Trump from placing right-wing nominees on the Supreme Court. On November 5, party leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would also reject unsuitable choices for lower courts and Cabinet posts.

The pledge puts the stakes of the midterm victory in sharp relief: Democrats say they can now challenge Trump’s judicial appointments and scrutinize his administration. Schumer said the party intends to investigate Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and focus its agenda on healthcare, housing, childcare, tariffs and energy costs.

Schumer would not say whether he would keep a Supreme Court seat vacant until after the next presidential election, nor whether he would again pursue eliminating the filibuster. That leaves unanswered how Democrats would handle a vacancy and how far they would go to pass legislation without Republican votes. He acknowledged that legislation will still require GOP support.

Democrats won a decisive Senate majority, potentially reaching 56 seats if they prevail in Mississippi and Alaska, where results remain undecided. Schumer says the party can build on its wins by campaigning on local issues and the cost of living. Some Democrats are pressing for an open discussion about future leadership, but Schumer is expected to face little immediate challenge and says he is focused on 2027.

Schumer threatens to block Trump’s Supreme Court nominees

Chuck Schumer is signaling that a Democratic Senate majority will use its power to block President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominees. On November 5, the Senate Democratic leader said his party would not approve nominees it considers unsuitable, including choices for lower courts and Cabinet posts.

Schumer would not say whether Democrats might leave a Supreme Court seat vacant until after the next presidential election, as Republicans did in 2016. Nor would he say if he would try to remove the filibuster, a hurdle that means most legislation needs 60 votes to advance. The unanswered questions underscore how much of the party’s approach remains unsettled.

Democrats won a decisive Senate majority in Tuesday’s midterm elections and could have as many as 56 seats if Mississippi and Alaska go their way. Schumer says the party’s agenda will focus on costs and issues including healthcare, housing, childcare, tariffs and energy bills. But he acknowledged that passing legislation would still require Republican support, while Trump has signaled he would veto bills.

Schumer also says Democrats plan to investigate ICE raids and scrutinize the administration. The party’s victory has not ended internal tensions: some Democrats want a discussion about leadership, and incoming senators have not all committed to supporting Schumer. He is expected to win reelection as leader, and says his focus is on 2027.