Sen. Chuck Schumer is apparently conceding to progressive forces hoping to drag the Democratic Party even further to the Left.

In an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash that aired Tuesday, Schumer dismissed progressive criticism of his alleged friendliness toward President-Elect Donald Trump.

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“How much pressure are you feeling from the progressives?” Bash asked. “Democracy for America said ‘Democratic leaders from Chuck Schumer down need to stop playing footsie with Trump and pretending we can find common ground,'” she told Schumer.

“We’re playing no footsie,” replied Schumer. “My views are exactly the same as Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders,” he insisted. “Both of them have said the same exact thing,” Schumer continued.

“If we can work with him and be true to our principles, we’re not going to reject it. But, overall, we’re sticking to our principles. We’re not compromising for its own sake … Our principles are going to be our guiding light.”

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Of course, the principles Schumer has historically embodied are far more moderate than the principles of Warren or Sanders — at least, they were. Schumer even has a long history of amiability with his state’s massive financial sector — known as Wall Street, the arch-enemy of the progressive wing of his party.

Now, in Schumer’s own words, the Democratic Party is the party of Warren and Sanders, a self-described socialist who, until 2015, wasn’t even a member of the Democratic Party.

The leftward shift of the party can also be seen in the current race for Democratic National Committee chair. The two leading contenders, Rep. Keith Ellison and current Labor Secretary Tom Perez, are viewed as far-left progressives whose views and policy positions are wholly out of step with the everyday Americans who voted for Trump.