Facing the Fire on “The View”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) stepped into a whirlwind of scrutiny during his Tuesday appearance on ABC’s “The View,” where he faced tough questions from all angles about his last-minute decision to back a Republican-led Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the federal government through September.
The move, which averted a shutdown, has sparked a firestorm of debate, with critics from both within his party and beyond accusing him of folding under pressure. Schumer had initially hinted at resisting the Trump-endorsed stopgap bill, even if it meant risking a government shutdown.
Yet, in a dramatic pivot, he rallied behind the measure, which passed despite drawing ire from fellow Democrats who felt he’d surrendered key ground. On “The View,” the cohosts didn’t hold back, turning the spotlight on his leadership and the fallout from his choice.
Defending a Tough Call
Whoopi Goldberg, who’d already aired her frustration on Monday’s episode, kicked off the grilling, pressing Schumer to justify urging Democrats to support the CR.
“I knew it was a difficult choice and I knew that I’d get a lot of criticism for my choice but I felt as a leader I had to do it. Here’s why. The CR bill was bad, no question, and it allowed a slush fund which allowed money to be pushed around,” Schumer explained.
He countered, though, that the alternative was dire: “If we cut off government spending. It would be devastation like we have never seen.”
Sara Haines offered a mixed take, agreeing that avoiding a shutdown was wise but questioning Schumer’s sway within his party. “We aren’t seeing a clear leader of the party,” she said.
“Because even though I agree with you with your decision and I see why, but you were only able to get nine Democrats to go with you. How is that leadership?”
Her critique highlighted a tension between pragmatism and party unity, a balancing act Schumer has struggled to master.
Leadership Under Scrutiny
The critiques kept coming. Joy Behar zeroed in on an unexpected twist: President Donald Trump’s backhanded praise for Schumer’s vote, which she saw as a stain on his Democratic credentials.
Meanwhile, Alyssa Farah Griffin took a broader swing, probing whether Schumer should follow former President Joe Biden’s lead and step aside for fresh faces.
“There seems to be a disconnect between the younger generation and some of the newly elected Democrats and yours. Do you believe that the party has confidence in you to continue to serve as its leader, and as somebody influential in helping Biden’s decision to step aside, do you think it might be time for you too?” she asked.
Joy Behar is up in arms at Schumer because Trump "congratulated" him on supporting the CR. The rest of the cast had to explain to her that Trump was trolling him. pic.twitter.com/OryuNsqkWK
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) March 18, 2025
Sunny Hostin, despite her personal ties to Schumer, didn’t pull punches either.
“It gives me no pleasure to say this to you because we are friends but I think you caved. I think you and nine other Democrats caved. I don’t think you showed the fight this party needs right now because you’re playing by a rule book where the other party has thrown that rule book away,” she said.
Her words captured a sentiment echoing among some Democrats: that Schumer’s compromise signaled weakness at a time when resolve might have mattered more.
Sunny Hostin vents at Schumer:
"It gives me no pleasure to say this to you because we are friends but I think you caved. I think you you and nine other Democrats caved. I don't think you showed the fight this party needs right now because you're playing by a rule book where the… pic.twitter.com/XfNAokRDu4— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) March 18, 2025
