On Sunday’s edition of State of the Union, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused President Donald Trump of fostering a danger to democratic norms by urging the Department of Justice to bring legal actions against political opponents such as New York Attorney General Letitia James. Schumer said these demands threaten the DOJ’s role as a neutral civil service and argued that turning it into an arm of political retribution is the “path to a dictatorship.”
Schumer said that a long tradition of prosecuting wrongdoing without favor or fear is being undermined. He claimed that the Trump administration is dismissing officials who resist aligning with his agenda and is failing to respect the separation between legal enforcement and partisan politics. Schumer said that many of those being targeted are likely innocent under the law, yet are under pressure simply because they are viewed as enemies.
Host Dana Bash pressed Schumer on what could prevent the shutdown of government functions or erosion of democratic guardrails. Schumer responded that Republicans are currently advancing funding bills without Democratic input, characterizing those bills as highly partisan. He said that he and House Leader Hakeem Jeffries are demanding meetings with Trump to negotiate legislation that reflects input from both parties before any shutdown occurs.
Schumer added that this moment is not just about political maneuvering—it’s about the core of what democracy means: checks and balances, free institutions, and the rule of law. He warned that accepting a government that prosecutes perceived enemies rather than punishing actual crimes will weaken trust in government and degrade constitutional norms. “This is the path to a dictatorship,” he said, stating that the idea of persecuting ideological opponents is antithetical to American values.
Schumer concluded by saying all Americans—Democrats, Republicans, and independents—should oppose moves that turn law enforcement into an instrument of political vendetta. He argued the only way to prevent a shift towards authoritarianism is for the president to stop issuing threats and start engaging in dialogue that respects the integrity of legal institutions.
