Chuck Schumer Faces Historic Drop in Popularity Among U.S. Leaders, Gallup Poll Shows
New Gallup poll finds Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) the least popular politician in America. The December 1–15 poll asked Americans to rate 13 top U.S. officials, including Congress, the Cabinet, the Supreme Court, and the Fed.
Schumer ranked last in the study with 28% approval. No other leader went below 30%, making this rating extraordinary. Democratic support for Schumer dropped 37 points to 39% from January 2024’s 76%.
The poll found many obstacles and challenges for Schumer this year. Eight Senate Democrats broke ranks and ended a 43-day government shutdown without health care subsidies, criticizing his leadership. Schumer was chastised in his party for not supporting New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, triggering calls for a leadership change.
Party members publicly questioned Schumer’s healthcare price and other major concerns solutions. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said, “Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced,” criticizing Schumer’s Democratic agenda.
Beyond Schumer, Gallup found widespread dissatisfaction. No previous twelve leaders were majority-approved by Americans. The study rated Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell 44% and Secretary of State Marco Rubio 41%. JD Vance and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received 39%.
Trump (36%), Roberts (38%), Bessent (37%), and Jeffries (D-N.Y.) (37%). House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Attorney General Pam Bondi, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) had 34%–36% approval ratings.
Political watchers say these numbers suggest growing voter dissatisfaction with Washington leadership amid economic, healthcare, and political uncertainties. Schumer’s decreasing favor rating represents Democratic leadership’s party differences and public criticism of high-profile legislative plans as the 2026 election approaches.
A greater decrease in political leader confidence raises questions about current leadership approaches and political realignments, according to Gallup.
Sources:
Gallup, U.S. Leadership Approval Poll, December 2025
Official statements from the U.S. Senate and Congressional records
Public communications from Democratic and Republican party representatives
