The Trump White House fired back Tuesday after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Republicans of trying to bring back Jim Crow-era policies by supporting voter ID laws.
Schumer’s remarks came during a press conference where Democrats announced the reintroduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. The bill would impose new restrictions on states attempting to change their voting rules.
“We’ve got to fight fire with fire,” Schumer said, claiming democracy is under attack. He zeroed in on the SAVE Act, which passed the House and would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections.
Schumer argued the bill was a modern-day version of Jim Crow. “They made it so hard to show ID that probably half the people in America couldn’t vote,” he claimed. “We’re not going to let them take us backward.”
He also blasted the Trump-endorsed legislative package signed earlier this month. Schumer accused Republicans of gutting healthcare and cutting aid for hungry kids while handing tax breaks to billionaires. “No principle and no conscience. Shame!” he shouted.
The White House hit back quickly. Spokesperson Harrison Fields called Schumer a “professional gaslighter” and mocked him as “jihadist Chuck Schumer.” He said Schumer prefers race-baiting over real collaboration.
Fields predicted Democrats would continue to lose support from Black voters, saying their tactics were built on fear and failure. “The Black community sees through it,” he added.
Conservatives piled on across social media. Influencer Paul Szypula called Schumer’s voter ID comments “insulting to Black people and poor people.” Others, like Libs of TikTok and Greg Price, accused Democrats of using extreme rhetoric to mask their true agenda.