Schumer, Jeffries sidestep questions on nuking filibuster, launching Elon Musk probe after blue wave
The Democratic leaders refused to answer questions about their first moves after winning back both chambers of Congress
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., did not answer Fox News Digital’s questions about their potential first moves in Congress as the Democrats won back the majority in both chambers with sweeping victories in Tuesday’s elections.
Schumer was pressed on whether he plans to abolish the filibuster as speculation grows that Democrats could eliminate the filibuster after President Donald Trump urged Senate Republicans to terminate it numerous times to pass the SAVE America Act. Trump previously warned that if Republicans didn’t act on it, the Democrats would if given the opportunity — which they now have.
Schumer ignored the question after being asked twice by Fox News Digital if he plans to eliminate it.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FETTERMAN STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE FILIBUSTER AS TRUMP URGES SENATE REPUBLICANS TO SCRAP IT
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., hold a joint news conference at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 8, 2026. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
The question comes as some Democrats have previously signaled openness to eliminating the filibuster if they regained the Senate.
During a press conference Wednesday morning, Schumer also refused to answer questions about some of his plans for the Senate as they take back the majority — including eliminating the filibuster. He also said that he will be "re-elected as majority leader" by the Senate Democratic caucus, despite opposition from newly elected Democrats. He quickly redirected the conversation to focus on the blue wave in the midterm elections and what the party plans to do with the "generational remake of the Senate map."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}SCHUMER SAYS HE'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE, BUT HIS OWN CANDIDATES AREN'T READY TO BACK HIM
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks during a press conference at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee headquarters on Nov. 4, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Tom Brenner/Getty Images)
Jeffries was also asked by Fox News Digital about the looming question over whether Democrats will probe Elon Musk after the party has begun eyeing targets in their discussed efforts to investigate alleged corruption in the Trump administration.
Jeffries gave Fox News Digital a thumbs-up when approached but did not respond when asked whether House Democrats would investigate Musk.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Musk has emerged as a potential target of Democratic oversight, with some lawmakers calling for scrutiny of his time as head of the Department of Government Efficiency. Democratic lawmakers have also suggested looking into this companies' multibillion-dollar contracts with the federal government, and more recently, his role in cutting internet access to the Ukrainian military.
‘LAWYER UP’: DEMS IMMEDIATELY PUT TRUMP ON NOTICE AMID REPUBLICANS' MIDTERM BLOODBATH
Last week, Musk blamed the issue on the U.S. military. (Getty Images)
The House Minority Leader’s refusal to comment comes as Democrats are divided over whether they would select Jeffries as Speaker of the House. There was a petition started that has received over 550,000 to oust Jeffries from leading the House, arguing the party needs a Speaker that represents "the Democratic voters, not just the Democratic establishment."
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With many of the newly elected congressional candidates hesitant, or outright opposed, to back both Jeffries and Schumer as leaders, the decision over who will be the leaders of both chambers of Congress is still in limbo.