Schatz Signals Tougher Road for Trump Agenda if Democrats Reclaim Senate

Sen. Brian Schatz, who many believe will take over the No. 2 role in the Democratic caucus next year, has a warning for President Donald Trump: He could be dealing with a very different Washington if Democrats achieve the electoral gains they’re hoping for this fall.

“The quality of the nominees would immediately have to go up, because they’re not going to get people like Bill Pulte or RFK Jr. or Pete Hegseth through the United States Senate if the Democrats run that,” Schatz told CNN’s Manu Raju.

After two years of Republicans pushing Trump’s agenda through Congress with narrow majorities, Democrats hope the president’s declining approval numbers will help them win control of both chambers and usher in a new wave of leadership.

Schatz is widely seen as the likely successor to retiring Sen. Dick Durbin as Democratic whip next year. In an interview on “Inside Politics Sunday,” the Hawaii Democrat outlined an aggressive but pragmatic strategy for taking on Trump if Democrats reclaim the Senate.

“I think you find common ground where possible and you stand your ground when necessary,” Schatz said. “When it comes to our core values, core American values, it’s going to be a fight.”

That fight could include battles over confirming a possible fourth Trump appointee to the Supreme Court or confronting renewed impeachment efforts.

Schatz said Democrats would take their constitutional role seriously if Trump had the chance to nominate another justice.

“We would certainly execute on our role of advice and consent, take it very seriously,” he said. “I don’t think they’d be able to ram anybody through.”

Schatz also said Trump has done “a million impeachable things,” but called impeachment an important tactical question. He noted a Democratic-controlled House would have to decide how and when to act.

“If they moved an impeachment to the Senate, I think it’s very likely predictable how everyone would vote. But for that very reason, I think they should measure twice and cut once,” he said.

Beyond opposing Trump, Schatz said Democrats need an “affirmative vision for America,” focused on healthcare, tariffs, and lowering costs for working-class voters.

He argued Democrats lost trust by appearing disconnected from the economic struggles many Americans face.

“Prices were too high, and we had an 80-year-old president,” Schatz said. “And I think one of the reasons that people are starting to turn around politically is that prices are even higher, and we again have an 80-year-old president.”

Schatz said Democrats have work to do to rebuild trust but believes the party is improving by focusing more on cost-of-living issues.

He also defended Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer amid criticism from some Democrats calling for generational change.

Schatz said political coalitions need room for disagreement, pointing to the wide ideological range within both parties.

“That’s how you cobble together a winning coalition,” he said. “To allow the tent to be wide enough so that you actually have some very serious disagreements.”

As he prepares for a possible leadership role, Schatz said his strategy for uniting Democrats would come down to communication and relationships.

“Talking, talking, talking,” he said. “Politics at this level is about relationships.”