House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sought Monday to push back against criticism over his private meeting with Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, declaring that Democrats will continue pursuing Trump administration officials and that “no one from the Trump Cartel is getting a pass.”
Jeffries, a New York Democrat, posted a video on X addressing the controversy after reports emerged that he had recently met privately with Kushner.
The New York Times reported Sunday that Jeffries and Kushner held the meeting ahead of the November midterm elections, with their conversation focusing on areas where they might find common ground, including housing, immigration and the rising cost of living.
Jeffries said Kushner initiated the outreach and that he agreed to sit down with him in order to discuss affordability. At the same time, Jeffries stressed that the meeting should not be interpreted as a retreat from House Democrats’ opposition to the administration on tariffs, the Affordable Care Act, nutritional assistance and other issues.
“I shouldn’t have to say it, but I am. No one is going to get a pass,” he said. “We’re gonna follow the facts, apply the law, and be guided by the Constitution beginning on day one. And hold the crooks accountable.”
The meeting has generated sharply differing reactions, including criticism from some Democrats and progressive figures. Tommy Vietor, a co-host of “Pod Save America” who previously served in the Obama administration, attacked Kushner on X on Sunday.
“Jared Kushner has no actual government job he just uses his family connections to get money from gulf autocrats and fund corrupt deals,” he said.
Although Kushner does not hold a formal administration position, he has acted as a foreign-policy envoy for Trump and has been involved in diplomatic efforts concerning Ukraine, Gaza and Iran.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, played down the significance of the Jeffries-Kushner discussion when asked about it by Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy during “The Sunday Briefing.”
“I don’t know what that’s about. I know Jared has interest in lots of other things going on,” he said. “He’s not really directly involved in the admin, at least in the day-to-day in the White House.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, meanwhile, stood behind Jeffries when questioned about the meeting during a Monday press conference. Asked whether he would still support Jeffries for House majority leader if Democrats capture control of the chamber in November, Mamdani said his position had not changed.
“I continue to support Congressman Jeffries and his bid to become the leader,” Mamdani said.
Jeffries also used his video to argue that House Democrats have already succeeded in their efforts to confront what they view as corruption within the Trump administration.
“[Former Attorney General] Pam Bondi is gone. [Former Secretary of Homeland Security] Kristi Noem is gone, and we’re just getting started,” he said.
Jeffries closed by returning to the affordability issues that he said prompted his willingness to meet with Kushner in the first place, arguing that Americans are struggling under the weight of rising costs and expect Congress to respond.
“People are drowning in this failed economy and are demanding action. We have a responsibility to deal with the fact that life is too expensive,” he said. “And that’s what we intend to do.”
{Matzav.com}
