Democrats’ takeover of Congress is already exposing different approaches toward President Donald Trump from the party’s two most powerful congressional leaders.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer adopted the more confrontational posture Wednesday, promising investigations and aggressive resistance once Democrats take control in January. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, meanwhile, emphasized cooperation with Trump on affordability while downplaying immediate talk about another presidential impeachment (we’ll see what actually happens, though).
The contrast emerged one day after Democrats captured both congressional chambers in a sweeping midterm victory that dramatically reshaped Washington’s balance of power. Schumer, positioned to become Senate majority leader, declared that Trump would face a fundamentally different Congress during the final two years of his presidency. “The days of Trump’s supplicant Senate are over,” Schumer said while discussing Democrats’ victory.
Schumer called Trump a “wannabe king” and warned Democrats would use their congressional authority whenever they believe the administration violates federal law. He promised Democrats would “entangle him in legislative razor wire” if Trump attempts to circumvent the newly elected Congress.
Schumer also accused Trump of corruption, although that represents the Democratic leader’s political characterization rather than a legal finding. “There has to be some investigations,” Schumer said while discussing how Democrats intend to exercise their new oversight authority.
Democrats will gain Senate committee chairmanships and subpoena power while also controlling which Trump administration and judicial nominees receive hearings and confirmation votes. House Democrats will similarly obtain committee gavels, giving them broad authority to investigate the administration and compel testimony from federal officials.
Several Democrats wasted little time advertising those plans following Tuesday’s election. Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, posted a two-word warning after Democrats secured their majority: “LAWYER UP.” Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., offered an even shorter preview by posting simply: “Subpoenas.”
Jeffries struck a noticeably different tone Wednesday as he prepared for his likely elevation to House speaker. “We are ready, willing and able to find bipartisan common ground with the other side of the aisle,” Jeffries said. The New York Democrat said cooperation would depend on producing “meaningful change” for Americans struggling with everyday expenses.
Jeffries pointed specifically to grocery prices, gasoline, housing costs and mortgage rates as issues Democrats intend to address. “We ran on affordability, we won decisively on affordability,” Jeffries said.
Schumer also identified living costs as Democrats’ top legislative priority despite his considerably sharper rhetoric toward Trump. “We are going to work hard to drive costs down with the president or without him,” Schumer claimed (sure).
Trump indicated Wednesday that he remains willing to negotiate. “I’ll get along probably with the Democrats unless they want to be destructive,” Trump said.
Jeffries similarly attempted to lower the temperature surrounding speculation that Democrats could pursue Trump’s third impeachment. “I haven’t had a single member of the House Democratic Caucus talk to me about impeachment,” Jeffries said.
