Schumer came under fierce criticism in March for helping to advance a shutdown-avoiding spending bill written solely by Republicans. He warned at the time that a shutdown would only empower Trump and that the dynamic would be different come September as, he predicted, Trump became more unpopular. Nine other members of his caucus joined him.

The Senate went on its August break without reaching an agreement on the deal over President Trump’s nominees, resulting in online discourse between Schumer and Trump.