Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll Schumer, Sanders call for Senate panel to address election security MORE (I-Vt.) on Wednesday said he doesn't believe President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE will win a second term.

"In terms of the first three months in office, Donald Trump is the least popular president in the history of polling," Sanders told The Associated Press while speaking in New York. "I do not believe that if Trump continues these policies that he's going to be reelected. Nor do I think that the Republicans are going to do well in 2018."

Sanders, who is planning to launch a cross-country tour with Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez next week, said a more progressive movement is underway that will hurt Republicans' electoral chances.

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"The momentum right now is with the progressive movement in this country," Sanders said. "And I think the Republicans are on the defensive and will be on the defensive increasingly."

Sanders pointed to Tuesday's special election in Kansas, in which the Republican candidate narrowly won the House seat vacated by CIA Director Mike Pompeo in a deep-red district that Trump won overwhelmingly.

"The Republicans had to spend money like crazy at the end to beat him," Sanders said. "I think that's a very good omen for the future."

Ron Estes defeated civil rights attorney James Thompson (D) Tuesday, overcoming a surprisingly tough challenge and denying Democrats a major upset in Kansas's 4th District.