Major Controversies Surrounding Chuck Schumer: A Detailed Timeline
Public opinion and media debates around Chuck Schumer—discover key moments of controversy.
Chuck Schumer is a prominent American politician serving as the senior U.S. Senator from New York since 1999. A Democrat, he has held significant leadership roles in the Senate, including Senate Majority Leader (2021-2025) and Senate Minority Leader in two stints (2017-2021 and since 2025). He became New York's senior senator in 2001. Elected to a fifth term in 2022, Schumer has become the longest-serving U.S. Senator from New York, surpassing Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Jacob K. Javits.
1999: Schumer Supports Repeal of Glass-Steagall Act
In 1999, Chuck Schumer supported Congress's repeal of Glass–Steagall, saying: "There are many reasons for this bill, but first and foremost is to ensure that U.S. financial firms remain competitive."
November 2001: Hearings on Bush's Decision to Try Terrorists in Military Tribunals
In November 2001, Schumer announced hearings on George W. Bush's decision to try terrorists in military tribunals, amid concerns that Bush would bypass the American legal system. The goals of the November 2001 hearings were to determine if Bush had the power to form a tribunal without Congressional interaction and whether a military tribunal was the most efficient instrument.
2002: Authorship of Bankruptcy Bill Provision
In 2002, Chuck Schumer authored a provision to a bill intended to make erasing debts through bankruptcy more difficult. The provision sparked controversy, with anti-abortion activists claiming it restricted their ability to write off court fines.
August 2004: Schumer Troubled by Leak of Muhammad Naeem Noor Khan's Arrest
In August 2004, Schumer expressed concern over the leak of Muhammad Naeem Noor Khan's arrest by American officials to reporters. Schumer cited the fact that the public had learned little of Khan's role in providing the information that led Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to announce a higher terror alert level in August 2004.
November 2006: Hentoff Criticizes Schumer's Indifference to War on the Constitution
In November 2006, Nat Hentoff of the Village Voice wrote that "the loquacious Schumer has been indifferent to the administration's war on the Constitution and on our laws and treaties", particularly on the issue of torture.
March 11, 2007: Schumer Calls for Alberto Gonzales' Resignation
On March 11, 2007, Schumer became the first lawmaker in either chamber to call for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to resign for firing eight United States Attorneys, stating that Gonzales "doesn't accept or doesn't understand that he is no longer just the president's lawyer".
April 19, 2007: Schumer Repeats Call for Gonzales' Resignation During Testimony
During Gonzales's testimony on April 19, 2007, Schumer repeated his call for Gonzales to resign due to Gonzales's repeated claims of not knowing or recalling details about the controversy over the firing of eight U.S. attorneys.
June 26, 2008: Public Release of Letters About IndyMac Bank
On June 26, 2008, Schumer publicly released letters to regulators about IndyMac Bank, expressing concerns about its financial deterioration and potential risks to taxpayers and borrowers. This action led to a significant withdrawal of funds from IndyMac before its failure.
October 18, 2008: Wall Street Journal Article on IndyMac Letter
On October 18, 2008, The Wall Street Journal published an article suggesting that an investment company's interest in IndyMac might have prompted Schumer's letter. His reported close ties to the founders of OneWest Bank have long been of interest to many action groups.
December 14, 2008: NYT Article on Schumer's Role in Wall Street Meltdown
On December 14, 2008, a New York Times article discussed Chuck Schumer's role in the Wall Street meltdown, highlighting how he embraced the industry's deregulatory agenda and took steps to protect the industry from government oversight.
December 22, 2008: OTS Regional Director Removed for IndyMac Financial Reporting
On December 22, 2008, The Washington Post reported that the OTS regional director in charge had been removed from his position for allowing IndyMac to falsify its financial reporting. Conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh blamed Schumer and recast IndyMac's July bankruptcy as an "October Surprise" planned by Democrats to help win the 2008 election.
2009: Schumer Criticizes Scotland's Release of Pan Am Bomber
In 2009, Chuck Schumer criticized Scotland's release of convicted Pan Am Flight 103 bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi and called for the United States to impose economic sanctions on the United Kingdom if Megrahi's release was tied to a massive oil deal between the United Kingdom and Libya.
March 2010: Madoff Whistleblower Claims Schumer Contacted SEC
In March 2010, Bernie Madoff whistleblower Harry Markopolos claimed in his book, No One Would Listen, that Chuck Schumer called the SEC for information about the Madoff investigation, a claim Schumer denied.
June 2010: Schumer's Comments on Israel's Gaza Blockade
In June 2010, Chuck Schumer, at an Orthodox Union event, commented on Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, stating that Israel should "strangle them economically" while continuing humanitarian aid. He justified the blockade by arguing it keeps weapons out and demonstrates the benefits of moderation to Palestinians.
2010: Securities and Investment Industry Becomes Largest Donor to Schumer's Campaigns
Since 2010, the securities and investment industry has been the largest donor to Chuck Schumer's senatorial campaigns.
June 2011: Schumer and Manchin Seek Crackdown on Bitcoin
In June 2011, Schumer and Senator Joe Manchin sought a crackdown on Bitcoin, saying it facilitated illegal drug trade transactions and wanted "to disrupt [the] Silk Road drug website".
2011: Bicycle Path Controversy
In 2011, Chuck Schumer was reported to have joined neighbors in Park Slope in attempting to remove a new bicycle path on their street. While Schumer has not taken a public stance, his wife is a prominent opponent, and he has reportedly lobbied against it.
January 18, 2012: Protests Against PROTECT IP Act at Schumer's Office
On January 18, 2012, the NY Tech Meetup and other cybertech organizations held a demonstration with 2,000 protesters in front of the offices of Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, who supported the PROTECT IP Act. Protesters complained the bill originated with wealthy campaign contributors.
April 2012: Schumer Introduced SB 1070
In April 2012, Schumer introduced SB 1070, a bill that would kill Arizona's anti-immigration law, and ones like it if the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the states. He backed his position, saying: "States like Arizona and Alabama will no longer be able to get away with saying they are simply 'helping the federal government' to enforce the law when they are really writing their own laws and knowingly deploying untrained officers with a mission of arresting anyone and everyone who might fit the preconceived profile of an illegal immigrant."
October 2016: Lost Confidence in Comey
In October 2016, Schumer said he had lost confidence in FBI director James Comey after the reopening of an investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails.
December 2016: Schumer Demands Inquiry into Russian Meddling
In December 2016, Chuck Schumer demanded a congressional inquiry into Russian meddling in U.S. affairs, reflecting growing concern over foreign interference.
January 2017: Schumer's Response to Intelligence Community Doubters
In January 2017, Chuck Schumer responded to those questioning the U.S. intelligence community's assessments, warning of potential repercussions for taking on the intelligence community.
May 2017: Schumer Calls for Release of Trump-Russia Meeting Transcripts
In May 2017, Chuck Schumer called on the White House to release unedited transcripts of the meeting between Trump and Russian officials, expressing doubts about the President's handling of classified information.
May 2017: Co-sponsorship of Israel Anti-Boycott Act
In May 2017, Chuck Schumer co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, Senate Bill 720, which aimed to criminalize participation in boycotts against Israel and Israeli settlements, carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.
May 2017: Schumer on the American Health Care Act
In May 2017, Chuck Schumer criticized the American Health Care Act, stating that it left Americans with pre-existing conditions vulnerable and requesting a bipartisan meeting to find solutions.
May 2017: Commented on Comey's Firing
In May 2017, after President Trump fired Comey, Schumer pondered whether the investigation into Russian collusion was "getting too close to home for the president".
January 2018: Criticized Republicans on Mueller Investigation
In January 2018, Schumer criticized Republicans for their views on the FBI and their efforts to discredit Mueller's investigation.
January 2018: DACA and Border Wall Negotiations
In January 2018, Schumer stated that any agreement on DACA would have to be included in the spending bill. Schumer offered Trump congressional approval of more than $20 billion for his border wall in exchange for protecting recipients of DACA, but Trump declined the offer. Later in January 2018, conversations on immigration and border security resumed between the White House and Schumer.
May 2018: Schumer's Comments on the North Korea-United States Summit Coin
In May 2018, Chuck Schumer advocated for Kim Jong-un's removal from the commemorative coin memorializing the 2018 North Korea-United States summit, referring to Kim as a "brutal dictator".
June 2018: Schumer Decries Harassment of Trump Administration Members
In June 2018, Chuck Schumer gave a Senate floor speech where he strongly disagreed with Representative Maxine Waters' call to harass members of the Trump administration as protest, stating that no one should call for the harassment of political opponents, advocating instead for organizing and voting them out of office.
June 2018: Said Roberts was demeaning the Supreme Court
In June 2018, Schumer said Roberts was demeaning the Supreme Court as it became more political.
July 2018: Schumer Confronts Warner on Facebook Issues
In July 2018, Schumer confronted Senator Mark Warner, urging him not to lose sight of the need for Facebook to tackle problems with right-wing disinformation and election interference, as well as consumer privacy and other issues. As of 2018, one of Schumer's daughters worked as a marketing manager at Facebook.
July 2018: Schumer Condemns Trump's Comments on Russian-German Gas Pipeline
In July 2018, after Trump criticized Germany's decision to approve a new Russian-German gas pipeline, Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Pelosi released a joint statement condemning Trump's comments as an embarrassment and his behavior as "another profoundly disturbing signal that the President is more loyal to President Putin than to our NATO allies".
August 2018: Schumer Responds to Trump's "Disloyal" Charge Against Jewish Democrats
In August 2018, Chuck Schumer responded to Donald Trump's charge that American Jews who vote for Democrats are "disloyal", tweeting that Trump's use of a trope that has been used against the Jewish people for centuries is encouraging anti-Semites.
March 2020: Controversial Statements About Gorsuch and Kavanaugh
In March 2020, Chuck Schumer faced criticism for his statements made at a rally regarding Supreme Court justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, warning they would "pay the price" and "unleash a whirlwind" if they voted against abortion rights. These comments were widely condemned, leading to an apology from Schumer.
January 6, 2021: Schumer's Reaction to the U.S. Capitol Attack
On January 6, 2021, during the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count, Chuck Schumer and other members of Congress were removed from the Senate chambers due to the attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters. Schumer and Pelosi released a joint statement calling on Trump to demand the rioters leave the Capitol and its grounds immediately. After the Capitol was secure, Schumer called it a day that will live forever in infamy and blamed Trump for the attack, calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the Twenty-fifth Amendment and also said he would support impeachment.
March 14, 2024: Schumer's Senate Speech on Netanyahu
On March 14, 2024, Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate speech that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was an impediment to peace and called for elections to replace him. He cited civilian deaths in Gaza as causing declining international support for Israel.
February 2025: DOJ Investigation Announced
In February 2025, the interim U.S. Attorney for Washington D.C., Ed Martin, announced the Department of Justice was launching an investigation.
