Schumer: Democrats Preparing for Possible Trump Disruption of Midterms; ICE Raids Heighten Voter Concern

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told The Associated Press he expects former President Donald Trump to seek ways to interfere with the upcoming midterm elections, and warned that recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in major cities are creating a chaotic impression that many voters will reject.

Interview Overview

The remarks came during a wide-ranging, 20-minute telephone interview with the New York Democrat. Schumer said the entry of former Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola into the Senate contest strengthens Democrats’ path to a majority. He argued that economic concerns are consolidating among voters and that Democrats will center their message on "costs, corruption and chaos." The White House dismissed such claims as political "fearmongering." Below is an edited transcript of the interview.

Expecting Trump Interference

Q: Some analysts worry Trump will try to prevent an open, fair midterm election and contest results. Do you share that concern?

A: We share the concern. We already have teams of senators and lawyers examining every conceivable way Trump could try to disrupt the process, and we are preparing to push back. A lot of election administration is handled by the states, and even in Republican-led states there is resistance to outside interference. Trump has shown little regard for the rule of law in the past, but we are ready and believe we can prevent efforts to undermine the count.

Influence Of ICE Raids On The Election

Q: What effect are ICE raids in cities having on the midterms so far?

A: Voters dislike chaos. They see cities and mayors that were previously calm now facing upheaval. While cost remains the top issue, our message—"costs, corruption and chaos"—resonates because people don’t like what they see. It also looks inconsistent when the president talks about protecting protesters abroad while law enforcement actions at home are targeting protesters and other civilians in places like Minneapolis.

Trump And The Economy

Q: Do you think economic concerns will persist through the election year?

A: Absolutely. The foremost concern for American families is being able to pay their bills—affordability is the primary issue. Many voters increasingly believe Trump’s policies have made life more expensive. On health care, ending or not extending Affordable Care Act tax credits raises costs for families. On energy, rolling back support for clean energy and imposing tariffs can increase utility and goods prices. We will emphasize five priorities to reduce costs: health care, housing, tariffs and the price of goods, food prices affected by consolidation in the food industry, and child care.

Midterm Congressional Outlook

Q: If the House flips by 25 to 30 seats, does that correlate with a possible Senate shift?

A: Earlier assessments said the House was winnable but the Senate was out of reach. Because our issues and message resonate across both chambers, the gap between the two has narrowed. I believe the path to a Senate majority is much wider than skeptics expect and has improved in recent months.

Younger And Non-White Trump Voters

Q: Young and non-white voters moved toward Trump last cycle. How will Democrats win them back?

A: The affordability message is already having an impact. Recent races show Democrats doing well in diverse areas when they focus on costs. Voters across age and income groups are concluding that Trump did not serve their interests, and the focus on tangible cost-of-living issues helps rebuild support.

Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa.