Leader Hakeem Jeffries Has An Urgent Midterm Warning
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Why did Hakeem Jeffries meet with Jared Kushner despite political differences?
Let's get this out of the way so that we can talk about the election. I want to talk about that what you have been responding to, uh, and that is your meeting with Jared Kushner. Everyone has been asking why. You've been explaining why, and then people still keep asking why after you've explained why. So why did you do it? Why did you think it was so important, even though he is not a member of the Trump administration?
Well thank you, Don. Uh and you know, Jarrett asked for the meeting and I agreed to have it. Because We've made clear as House Democrats, and I said this during the opening day of this congressional session. That we're going to be focused on pushing back against the extremism being on least on the American people and continuing to battle them on all the things. In order to end this national nightmare, but at the same period of time, we recognize that the American people Want us to get things done whenever and wherever possible, particularly as it relates to the affordability crisis that is suffocating the American people. Folks are drowning in this failed economy. Uh, everyday Americans, hardworking Americans, black and brown Americans, rural Americans, everybody's suffering in this failed economy.
They want us to get things done. And part of the reality. of the governmental dynamic that we have right now is that in order for that To happen, you've got to be willing at times to sit and talk with people on the other side of the aisle. Who you may strongly disagree with on a whole host of issues. In order to see what's possible when it comes to solving problems for everyday Americans.
He's b Leader, but he's not a member of the administration. He has no effect on policy. He does not have voting power in the Congress or in the Senate nor the and so that's what folks are questioning. Why him? Why not, you know, um uh why not the the the House Speaker? Uh why not Trump himself?
What bipartisan effort led to the First Step Act and how does Jeffries view cross‑aisle deals?
Why not uh J.D. Vance or Stephen Miller or someone who actually has some power within the administration?
God forbid I sat and talked with Stephen Miller. It'd be interesting to see what the reaction is there, Don. In terms of uh Kushner, I think what is clear, what everybody understands, uh, is that he is a senior advisor to Donald Trump and one of the most influential people in the Trump orbit. And I think anyone following the dynamics in Washington, DC, understand that. Of course, uh, in his first term, Donald Trump's first term, you know, Jarrett was officially part of the White House. And it was in that context that I first sat down with him, actually around criminal justice reform. To try to see what was possible. And you know, as a result of the leadership of many people in the Congress, Cedric Richmond.
Of course, Doug Collins on the other side of the aisle, I was strongly involved in the effort. We actually were able to get something meaningful done in terms of striking back against mass incarceration in the United States of America. That effort eventually resulted in the First Step Act, the most significant criminal justice reform. legislation enacted by Congress this century. And we actually were able to get that done eventually bringing together the left and the right, progressives and conservatives, uh Republicans, of course, and Democrats, the ACLU and the Koch brothers, the NAACP and the Heritage Foundation, and eventually Jarrett was of course involved in this effort, got it signed into law by Donald Trump.
Okay.
So I I think the I think I think things can be possible. Even if they seem questionable in terms of whether you could ever reach an accommodation. with folks who you strongly disagree with on the overwhelming majority of issues.
Okay, I think people uh uh understand that you have to meet with people and we had uh look um in in your defense we've had folks on saying That's hit that's your job as uh the possible House Speaker and the leader of the Democratic uh Party. Um look, you're the you're the de facto leader of the party right now. Um so the meeting was off the record.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
Why did Hakeem Jeffries meet with Jared Kushner despite political differences?
0:00–1:56
2
What bipartisan effort led to the First Step Act and how does Jeffries view cross‑aisle deals?
1:56–4:17
3
How is the USPS whistleblower warning shaping concerns about mail‑in voting?
4:17–5:51
4
What is the Democratic strategy to counter potential ICE intimidation at polling sites?
5:51–8:53
5
Why do Democrats consider the ‘Save America’ (Vote‑Suppression) Act a major threat?
8:53–11:13
6
How are progressive groups reacting to the bipartisan vote on the anti‑socialism resolution?
11:13–13:33
7
What did the Supreme Court decide about Trump’s authority over election funding and why is it controversial?
13:33–15:30
8
What are Jeffries’ key priorities for the upcoming midterms and voter‑protection efforts?
15:30–17:21