Manu Raju told CNN that interviews with about two dozen Democrats revealed an "overwhelming" view that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer may no longer be fit to lead. Many lawmakers expect he could retire before the 2028 election — when he would be about 78 — or face vulnerability in a primary. Frustration intensified after the shutdown deal failed to extend Obamacare subsidies. Prominent Democrats including Reps. Ro Khanna, Seth Moulton and Mark Pocan, and Sen. John Fetterman voiced sharp criticism.
Many Democrats Say Chuck Schumer’s 'Days Are Numbered,' CNN’s Manu Raju Reports
Manu Raju told CNN that interviews with about two dozen Democrats revealed an "overwhelming" view that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer may no longer be fit to lead. Many lawmakers expect he could retire before the 2028 election — when he would be about 78 — or face vulnerability in a primary. Frustration intensified after the shutdown deal failed to extend Obamacare subsidies. Prominent Democrats including Reps. Ro Khanna, Seth Moulton and Mark Pocan, and Sen. John Fetterman voiced sharp criticism.
01:25 AM, 11/18/2025Politics
Growing Democratic Frustration Over Schumer’s Leadership, CNN Reports
CNN correspondent Manu Raju reported Monday that a rising number of House and Senate Democrats are expressing deep dissatisfaction with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and question whether he should continue to lead the caucus.
Raju told co-host Dana Bash on Inside Politics that he and colleague Edward-Isaac Dovere spoke with roughly two dozen congressional Democrats and encountered an "overwhelming view" that Schumer is no longer the right leader for the party moving forward. Several lawmakers suggested Schumer might choose to step down rather than face a difficult reelection campaign.
"They believe his days are numbered, one way or the other," Raju said, noting that Schumer would be about 78 at the time of the 2028 election and that concerns about his vulnerability — including the possibility of a primary challenge — contribute to expectations he may retire.
Raju also described increasing dissension within the Senate Democratic Caucus. He said an organized effort to remove Schumer from leadership seemed "less likely," but added that he has heard more complaints about Schumer’s leadership than at any point in Schumer’s nine years as party leader.
Much of the recent criticism centers on Schumer’s role in negotiating the deal that ended the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Many liberal Democrats were furious the agreement did not extend Obamacare subsidies — an omission they view as a major policy failure.
Prominent Democrats voiced sharp critiques. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) called the shutdown deal the "final straw," saying Schumer "doesn’t inspire confidence," is "not bold," and is "out of touch with the grassroots." Khanna also cited past positions, including support for the Iraq War, and said Schumer lacked moral clarity on Gaza and even struggled to pronounce scholar Mahmood Mamdani’s name.
Other critics included Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), who urged Democrats to move beyond an "establishment status quo," and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), who described the deal as a "terrible" negotiation that harmed the national party. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said he was unsure who is currently steering the party.
The reporting highlights escalating unease within the Democratic caucus about Schumer’s leadership and raises questions about whether he will run again in 2028 or step aside beforehand.
Reporting referenced: CNN segment with Manu Raju on Inside Politics.