Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville has strongly criticized House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for his recent meeting with Jared Kushner, arguing that Democrats, regardless of their political stances, universally agree on one principle: avoiding engagement with former President Donald Trump's inner circle.
The meeting between Jeffries and Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and former special envoy, reportedly focused on potential areas of common ground such as housing, immigration, and the high cost of living. The news of the sit-down was first reported by The New York Times.
Carville expressed his strong disapproval during a recent commentary, emphasizing that while Democrats may disagree on various policy issues like Medicare for All or policing strategies, there is a clear consensus on not interacting with individuals associated with the Trump administration.
"These people are a pack of felons and traitors, and you do not meet with them. You do not meet with them," Carville stated, referring to Trump and his associates. He suggested that rather than meeting privately, Kushner should be brought before a committee to account for his actions.
Public relations expert Jason Mudd commented on the situation, suggesting that the primary issue for Jeffries was not the meeting itself but the timing of its public revelation. Mudd noted that the meeting became a point of contention because news of it emerged after it had already occurred, rather than being framed strategically beforehand.
"Jeffries got caught being reasonable in private without being strategic in public," Mudd said. "Now Jeffries is explaining it after the leak instead of framing it before the leak. That's the real mistake. Not taking the meeting itself." Mudd advised that for Jeffries to regain trust within his party, he should provide full transparency regarding the meeting's details, purpose, and outcomes. "Silence and vague statements read as guilt even when there's nothing to hide, and right now the story is being written for him and without him," Mudd added.
Fox News Digital reached out to Jeffries, Kushner, and the White House for comment.