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Dennis Donovan

(31,059 posts)
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 10:26 AM Apr 27

Sen Schumer on response to Trump's shakedown of Harvard: "We sent him a very strong letter..."

Aaron Rupar
‪@atrupar.com‬
Schumer on the Democratic response to Trump's shakedown of Harvard: "We sent him a very strong letter just the other day asking eight very strong questions."

April 27, 2025 at 9:30 AM


"...a very strong letter." Oy vey.

Schumer on the Democratic response to Trump's shakedown of Harvard: "We sent him a very strong letter just the other day asking eight very strong questions."

Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-04-27T13:30:44.434Z
68 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Sen Schumer on response to Trump's shakedown of Harvard: "We sent him a very strong letter..." (Original Post) Dennis Donovan Apr 27 OP
Well, that oughtta do it. Ocelot II Apr 27 #1
As Rachel says, Don't listen to what people say; watch what they do...What has he done to fix the problem?nt mitch96 Apr 27 #24
What would you anticipate a Senate minority leader would do that's within their legal powers to "fix the problem"? meadowlander Apr 27 #44
Booker and Jeffries gave a damned fine workshop today on the Capitol Steps, getting people engaged and resisting Attilatheblond Apr 27 #55
We're being played Ponietz Apr 27 #36
OOOOOOOOH, a strong letter. That'll show him. Vinca Apr 27 #2
A very strong letter. republianmushroom Apr 27 #54
Completely feckless. choie Apr 27 #3
We need new leaders. yardwork Apr 27 #4
just laughable et tu Apr 27 #5
Good thing the letter was written very strongly dalton99a Apr 27 #6
She should have interviewed Chris Murphy instead of Schumer. CrispyQ Apr 27 #7
Please retire. Passages Apr 27 #8
I hope is was also "sternly worded" BoRaGard Apr 27 #9
Schumer fights incrementally -- the next one in August will be stern Ponietz Apr 27 #37
I don't believe he has interest in the political destruction of Trump. David__77 Apr 27 #10
I think you're right. yardwork Apr 27 #17
i don't know if it's in the 1970s but it's glaringly obvious they sure as hell are stuck. nt orleans Apr 27 #60
How about telling him that not one nominee is going through and moniss Apr 27 #11
Schumer personally blocked two nominees on April 16. lapucelle Apr 27 #52
Then what? Kid Berwyn Apr 27 #12
I'm sure shaking a finger will be next, followed by stomping his feet. Chemical Bill Apr 27 #50
That's telling him, now if Susan will tell Trump she is also concerned that would doc03 Apr 27 #13
Right. yardwork Apr 27 #15
And Schumer's said to be, "The smartest guy in the room". jalan48 Apr 27 #14
Pathetic Ponietz Apr 27 #16
A warrant for the arrest of the idiot would be a helluva lot more appropriate. Ping Tung Apr 27 #18
I'm thinking Schumers next step, would have to be a meeting with Senate Majority Ars Longa Apr 27 #19
He really did say that? How did Schumer get so old and foggy? Baitball Blogger Apr 27 #20
"We sent a letter to someone who can't/won't read." Nice. n/t flvegan Apr 27 #21
sigh Celerity Apr 27 #22
It seems Pelosi had the testicles,... magicarpet Apr 27 #23
I can't say what I'm thinking rn because it might get me banned. harumph Apr 27 #25
Jesus Fucking Christ LuvLoogie Apr 27 #26
This was my planned message. You beat me to it. hatrack Apr 27 #43
Words! Not action! C_U_L8R Apr 27 #27
Schumer is there for a reason WSHazel Apr 27 #28
Go piss up a rope, Schumer. Paladin Apr 27 #29
BFD Faux pas Apr 27 #30
Omg, I called it here: Sky Jewels Apr 27 #31
Replace him, Senators. Like a month ago. Jesus H. It's like he's making fun of us now. Scrivener7 Apr 27 #32
Well, there you have it. taxi Apr 27 #33
And we're excoriating David Hogg for saying these guys need to be primaried Arazi Apr 27 #34
I'm not a huge Schumer fan, but... LudwigPastorius Apr 27 #35
How about joining the Jeffries/Booker sit in today? Arazi Apr 27 #40
Re: a press conference LudwigPastorius Apr 27 #42
You asked for specific examples Arazi Apr 27 #56
# circled was just the people watching AT THE TIME. It varied a lot and didn't count the cumilative # of people who saw Attilatheblond Apr 27 #58
Here. Lots of specific suggestions. Scrivener7 Apr 27 #45
No! Not a Strong Letter!! tavernier Apr 27 #38
(thanks for the chuckle or smirk or whatever my reaction was reading this) nt orleans Apr 27 #61
Oh, my! A strongly-worded letter! Trump will be shaking in his little bunny slippers. Martin68 Apr 27 #39
Oh no! Greg_In_SF Apr 27 #41
Fix the problem??????? bdamomma Apr 27 #46
This is not leadership, its colossal self-importance Ruby the Liberal Apr 27 #47
This. His condescendingly patting us on the head like this, while being our very own Chamberlain, is maddening. Scrivener7 Apr 27 #49
The pompous Dolores umbrages that have been defending every impotent action Schumer has taken are much worse SunImp Apr 27 #59
Not a huge Bash fan senseandsensibility Apr 27 #48
What a moron. Even Dana "I need some carbs" Bash is stunned. Not that it takes much to stun her, but really, Chuck. mucholderthandirt Apr 27 #51
I sounded the alarm when the shitler was winning the republican nomination..... Bread and Circuses Apr 27 #53
I assumed this HAD to be The Onion... regnaD kciN Apr 27 #57
Time for him to resign. This is not leadership... SSJVegeta Apr 28 #62
A very strong letter just the other day asking very strong questions fujiyamasan Apr 28 #63
Does Schumer really think a letter would stop Dump? sakabatou Apr 28 #64
It will be a minor note in the history of all this but the utter inability of Schumer to understand what's happening ... mahatmakanejeeves Apr 28 #65
No! No! Anything but THAT! Buns_of_Fire Apr 28 #66
To be fair SocialDemocrat61 Apr 28 #67
I have no problem with sending that letter... Tom Rinaldo Apr 28 #68

mitch96

(15,288 posts)
24. As Rachel says, Don't listen to what people say; watch what they do...What has he done to fix the problem?nt
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 11:48 AM
Apr 27

meadowlander

(4,929 posts)
44. What would you anticipate a Senate minority leader would do that's within their legal powers to "fix the problem"?
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 03:28 PM
Apr 27

The problem is that the American people elected a dangerous moron and then went and gave his lap dog party the Senate and the House. Until 2026, other than write letters and make public statements, what do you expect Chuck Shumer to do? And we all know he's not great with the public statements.

Attilatheblond

(6,415 posts)
55. Booker and Jeffries gave a damned fine workshop today on the Capitol Steps, getting people engaged and resisting
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 09:04 PM
Apr 27

They showed actual leadership and we got to witness may brave people sharing many brave efforts. That sort of thing inspires public actions, collaborations, and courage.

Schumer can take his strongly worded message directly to Trump and see how much positive energy/effort that raises. What Booker, Jeffries, and all those who came to speak did will inspire people and one suspects will motivate more calls to people's reps than Schumer and his letters. Raising enough voices beats letters Trump will laugh at and toss in the trash.

et tu

(2,269 posts)
5. just laughable
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 10:32 AM
Apr 27

dems will have a whole encyclopedia of 'harsh letters'
and that will surely do it.

step up and do something meaningful- this is past the time.
dhogg is trying to take corrective steps and is being torched
by the old guard. step up or step out of the way- this is much
to important to our democracy.

CrispyQ

(39,862 posts)
7. She should have interviewed Chris Murphy instead of Schumer.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 10:33 AM
Apr 27

This is why there's that other thread with a poll where more people would trust Trump with the economy than congressional dems. Where the fuck is our unified voice of outrage against this administration? We have Chris, Bernie & AOC, Jamie Raskin, & there are others who don't come to mind at the moment, but there isn't one unified democratic voice of outrage. It's bad enough congressional dems don't seem to have the power to do anything but to remain silent as a party? I'm not surprised at that polling result.

That other DU thread: https://democraticunderground.com/100220273050

David__77

(24,223 posts)
10. I don't believe he has interest in the political destruction of Trump.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 10:44 AM
Apr 27

I think he is interested in providing him with criticism aimed at biding time while “managing” Trump.

yardwork

(66,932 posts)
17. I think you're right.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 11:11 AM
Apr 27

The Democratic leaders seem to think that Trump's messes will make it easy to regain a Democratic majority.

I think they're wrong.

I think they're badly misjudging how serious this attack on our democracy is. I also think they're badly misjudging how easy it will be for the RNC to blame everything on Democrats.

I think that Schumer and the others are stuck in the 1970s.

orleans

(36,150 posts)
60. i don't know if it's in the 1970s but it's glaringly obvious they sure as hell are stuck. nt
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 11:10 PM
Apr 27

lapucelle

(20,271 posts)
52. Schumer personally blocked two nominees on April 16.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 08:11 PM
Apr 27

A quorum in the Senate is a simple majority.

Republicans don't need Democrats (and can even lose two of their own members) for a quorum to be present.


Kid Berwyn

(20,829 posts)
12. Then what?
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 11:04 AM
Apr 27

Stern phone message? Strongly worded text? A long Email!? That’ll scare the traitor straight.

Chemical Bill

(2,839 posts)
50. I'm sure shaking a finger will be next, followed by stomping his feet.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 07:56 PM
Apr 27

Will he hold his breath until he turns blue? We will see ....

doc03

(38,006 posts)
13. That's telling him, now if Susan will tell Trump she is also concerned that would
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 11:05 AM
Apr 27

really hurt. When I hear Schumer I think David Hogg isn't entirely wrong.

Baitball Blogger

(50,257 posts)
20. He really did say that? How did Schumer get so old and foggy?
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 11:25 AM
Apr 27

Someone please clue him in. This is getting embarrassing.

magicarpet

(18,455 posts)
23. It seems Pelosi had the testicles,...
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 11:45 AM
Apr 27

.... since she has been back burnered,... Schumer has no balls anymore,.. not that he ever had fire in the belly anyways.

Is Dem party leaders do not improve the Dem congress likeability above 35% soon,.. their prospects for 2025 mid-terms do not look so good.

hatrack

(62,794 posts)
43. This was my planned message. You beat me to it.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 03:24 PM
Apr 27

And there's not much more to say, unfortunately.

WSHazel

(434 posts)
28. Schumer is there for a reason
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 12:39 PM
Apr 27

Democratic Senators don't like a strong Senate Leader. It has been this way for a long time. Daschle and Schumer are both weak leaders, and Reid stayed out of other Senator's activities. If people want a party with strong centralized leadership, they should vote Trumpublican.

Democrats also do not want a Senate leader that is a lightening rod right now. Democrats are defending some tough seats, but also have getable seats in NC and ME in 2026. That means they only need to find 2 more. Rust belt and farm belt will be in some serious economic pain, and there are a lot of Republican Senators that rubber-stamped bad Trump policies that will cause a lot of pain in the Midwest.

I see the most likely targets as:

1) KS - this state is not nearly as dark red as it was before, and Marshall is a weak candidate.
2) TX - the Texas Latino vote has been trending against Democrats for 3 straight Presidential elections, but that could stop with the chaos that Trump has unleashed.
3) AK - Getting hammered by government spending cuts and tariffs. Sullivan only got 54% in 2020.
4) IA - Ernst did not win big in 2020, and Iowa is going to get smashed economically by tariffs because of its dependence on agriculture and manufacturing.
5) OH - Will get hit hard by tariffs, and by the crackdown on immigration. Ohio depends on immigrant labor for his manufacturing industry. Furthermore, Ohio has a lot of colleges that were increasingly dependent on international students as the demographic cliff hits higher education. Ohio could see a crisis with some of its universities if foreign students drop as much as anticipated.

Democrats will lose all of those states if they have a firebrand Senate Leader. Let Cory Booker, Chris Murphy and Bernie Sanders do their thing, while Schumer remains as a less interesting target for Republicans.

taxi

(2,358 posts)
33. Well, there you have it.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 01:18 PM
Apr 27

Why couldn't he have penned that letter before the 2024 campaigns?
Republicans and their leaders will be quick stepping off of sidewalks to get out of his way. Now they know he means business!
And if he really wants to be helpful, if he wants the maga base to know also, his next message will be in ALL CAPS!
Good going Senator!

Arazi

(7,985 posts)
34. And we're excoriating David Hogg for saying these guys need to be primaried
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 01:30 PM
Apr 27

And/or replaced by representatives who are willing to actually take action

LudwigPastorius

(12,740 posts)
35. I'm not a huge Schumer fan, but...
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 01:45 PM
Apr 27

everyone calling for ACTION here should offer a specific suggestion.

...because Schumer can't arrest, impeach, or investigate Trump...he cannot call hearings, mark-up bills, or issue subpoenas with the Republicans in charge of both houses of Congress.

The best they (we) can do is gum up the legislative works.

Arazi

(7,985 posts)
40. How about joining the Jeffries/Booker sit in today?
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 02:22 PM
Apr 27

Or holding a press conference with the Harvard attorneys who are pushing back.

Or participate in organizing a united national level university resistance movement, connecting the organizations together.

I put about 3 seconds of effort into brainstorming a few direct actions he could take instead of a “strong letter” (and come on, even you can’t think this is at all an effective leadership action)

LudwigPastorius

(12,740 posts)
42. Re: a press conference
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 03:00 PM
Apr 27

Schumer got more eyes on him by appearing on CNN this morning than a press conference would have accrued.

And, I applaud Corey Booker and Hakeem Jeffries, but their sit in can't match cable news viewership.

Arazi

(7,985 posts)
56. You asked for specific examples
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 09:24 PM
Apr 27

I provided a few with a couple seconds of thought. I’m sure as one of the most powerful Dems in the land he has resources to draw upon to help craft strategies. The tv appearance is fine but it’s not enough to say “I sent a strongly worded letter”

Sorry but it’s not.

Attilatheblond

(6,415 posts)
58. # circled was just the people watching AT THE TIME. It varied a lot and didn't count the cumilative # of people who saw
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 09:44 PM
Apr 27

And you can bet that more people watched after the live feed ended. More will watch the video as they hear about it. Social media/online videos probably get nearly as many eyeballs as MSM these days, if not more in the long run. Consider the ways in which campaign fundraising has changed. Running ads on TV doesn't match Act Blue donations to candidates, or trump would be trying to turn off broadcasts like he is trying to attack Act Blue.

Scrivener7

(56,122 posts)
45. Here. Lots of specific suggestions.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 05:15 PM
Apr 27
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=20246371
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220104953

However, why do some people always insist that we can't expect them to do their jobs unless we tell them exactly how? Why don't they already know how to do their jobs without us telling them?

This is a crisis. Are people getting that?

bdamomma

(68,615 posts)
46. Fix the problem???????
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 05:24 PM
Apr 27

did the felon "fix the problem" during Covid pandemic????? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He's not going to do crap for the American people.

Ruby the Liberal

(26,472 posts)
47. This is not leadership, its colossal self-importance
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 07:04 PM
Apr 27

He is the absolute worst possible choice for that role today - but his ego is blinding him to that fact.

Him remaining at the helm = we are so fucked.

Scrivener7

(56,122 posts)
49. This. His condescendingly patting us on the head like this, while being our very own Chamberlain, is maddening.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 07:40 PM
Apr 27

SunImp

(2,511 posts)
59. The pompous Dolores umbrages that have been defending every impotent action Schumer has taken are much worse
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 10:45 PM
Apr 27

Same types who probably defended Manchin or even people like Adams/Cuellar.

senseandsensibility

(22,618 posts)
48. Not a huge Bash fan
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 07:07 PM
Apr 27

but her comment about getting back to her if he gets a response was very dryly put.

mucholderthandirt

(1,559 posts)
51. What a moron. Even Dana "I need some carbs" Bash is stunned. Not that it takes much to stun her, but really, Chuck.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 08:08 PM
Apr 27

Bread and Circuses

(846 posts)
53. I sounded the alarm when the shitler was winning the republican nomination.....
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 08:19 PM
Apr 27

.
This is a comment regarding an unnamed party

When the orange person won the nomination , I went full speed to alert everyone. I volunteered, donated, wrote letters and made phone calls for the woman candidate and others who support equality and the rule of law.


I knew how bad he would be as #47. I knew, and I’m not a political or legal expert.

The entire Unnamed political Party, except a few, are in lala land. . Why wasn’t their was a plan once he was elected ? A plan to stop the coup? A plan to call out the lies and liars?

I’ve said that we may loose our nation by summer, and I’m right. It’s happening now.

A judge has been arrested, US citizens grabbed and deported, collaborating with Russian agents, stealing personal data and destroying the federal government.

We don’t know even 1% of what has happened.

The elected ‘ good guys’ are spineless.

The real Good Guys are the men and women in the streets, exercising our 1st amendment rights. Until the elected unnamed party members call for a general strike and arrest of the entire administration for treason, I don’t want to hear from them.


Again, this is not bashing .

fujiyamasan

(286 posts)
63. A very strong letter just the other day asking very strong questions
Mon Apr 28, 2025, 01:51 AM
Apr 28

Well that’ll show ‘em!

Yo Chuck, the institution isn’t hosting a gentleman’s game anymore. I think it’s time you rethink your day job!

His leadership is no longer tenable. He needs to step down from his role and let the caucus vote on a new leader. As long as he’s leader I think it will put a damper on recruiting effective candidates and fundraising because I’m not sure why anyone would want him leading them in any way.

mahatmakanejeeves

(65,194 posts)
65. It will be a minor note in the history of all this but the utter inability of Schumer to understand what's happening ...
Mon Apr 28, 2025, 02:10 AM
Apr 28
Mike Masnick

‪@mmasnick.bsky.social‬
It will be a minor note in the history of all this but the utter inability of Schumer to understand what's happening and to respond appropriately is historically bad in its own way

‪Aaron Rupar‬
‪@atrupar.com‬
· 16h
Schumer on the Democratic response to Trump's shakedown of Harvard: "We sent him a very strong letter just the other day asking eight very strong questions."

Schumer on the Democratic response to Trump's shakedown of Harvard: "We sent him a very strong letter just the other day asking eight very strong questions."

Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-04-27T13:30:44.434Z


April 27, 2025 at 12:09 PM

It will be a minor note in the history of all this but the utter inability of Schumer to understand what's happening and to respond appropriately is historically bad in its own way

Mike Masnick (@mmasnick.bsky.social) 2025-04-27T16:09:32.192Z

Tom Rinaldo

(23,117 posts)
68. I have no problem with sending that letter...
Mon Apr 28, 2025, 08:31 AM
Apr 28

Of course Democratic concerns, objections, demands etc. should be officially transmitted in writing. But it is way beyond tone deaf to talk about sending "a very strongly worded letter."

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Sen Schumer on response t...