Prominent Democrats have escalated their condemnation of far-left streamer Hasan Piker following remarks he made suggesting American Jews could face violence if they are seen as strongly supporting Israel. The backlash intensified after Piker displayed an image of Michigan state Sen. Jeremy Moss, the Democratic nominee in Michigan’s 11th Congressional District, during a recent stream.
Piker stated, "If Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they are singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone is going to come around and take action, not against the state of Israel, mind you, but against American Jews." Moss has publicly stated that a fake audio clip has been circulated falsely portraying him as having run for Congress solely to ensure continued U.S. support for Israel.
The streamer's comments drew criticism from top Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, as well as lawmakers who have previously criticized Piker. Individuals who have previously appeared with Piker or defended engagement with him are now pushing back on his remarks.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., joined the criticism, initially calling the claim that American Jews were inviting violence against themselves "dangerous and antisemitic." When asked by CNN if he was referring to Piker, Jeffries confirmed and stated, "Those comments were dangerous, malicious and antisemitic and should not be tolerated by anyone in the public square."
Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., one of the first Democratic lawmakers to publicly challenge Piker, renewed his criticism, calling Piker an "unapologetic antisemite" and stating that Piker’s latest remarks were consistent with his "history of antisemitic statements." Schneider added, "Hasan Piker’s hateful ideas and antisemitic remarks have no place in America or our nation’s politics."
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., who had previously criticized Piker's involvement in Michigan Democratic politics, spoke out again, stating, "No community should face the threat [of] violence for their political views," and rejecting the idea that Jewish Americans should be blamed for antisemitism directed at them.
Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., who earlier in the year criticized Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed for campaigning with Piker, made it clear she would not associate with the streamer, calling him the "exact opposite" of someone she would campaign with.
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., whose team had previously declined an appearance with Piker due to past comments, directly condemned the streamer's rhetoric about Jewish Americans, saying it has no place in public discourse.
Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who in April criticized Piker’s role in Michigan Democratic politics and his inflammatory style, compared his approach to that of far-right commentator Nick Fuentes.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., a persistent critic of Piker, praised Jeffries' pushback and called Piker's comments "something 'right out of the Nazi playbook,' emphasizing them as 'a call for violence against Jews.'" Gottheimer also urged House leaders to bring a bipartisan resolution condemning Piker's rhetoric up for a vote and stated that anyone who does not condemn Piker's comments is "complicit."
Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville drew a line between himself and some within the Democratic Party who have embraced Piker, stating he would leave the party if Piker's wing took control.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., had previously taken aim at El-Sayed over his ties to Piker during Michigan's Democratic Senate primary.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., distanced himself from Piker after defeating a primary challenger who had Piker’s backing.
Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., rejected Piker's politics, stating on "Fox News Sunday" that "The Democratic Party does not stand for what Hasan Piker stands for."
Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich., issued a sharp response, calling Piker's talk of violence against American Jews and his naming of Jeremy Moss "unacceptable. Full stop." She described Piker as a "hack who thrives on hate, shock and awe."
Michigan state Sen. Jeremy Moss, who was directly discussed during Piker's stream, pushed back on the streamer's comments, stating there is "no room for extremism in Michigan."
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who has previously appeared on and defended engaging with Piker, rejected the streamer's latest argument, stating that antisemitism should be condemned unequivocally and that Jewish people and supporters of Israel are not responsible for antisemitism directed at them.
Abdul El-Sayed, whose Michigan Senate campaign faced criticism over his association with Piker, sought to distance his campaign from the streamer, condemning antisemitism but stopping short of directly condemning Piker.
DNC Chair Ken Martin condemned the idea that American Jews should be blamed for hatred or violence directed at them, calling such rhetoric "dangerous, wrong and antisemitic."
Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., co-chair of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, described Piker's latest remarks as "a new low," rejecting the suggestion that Jewish Americans bear responsibility for antisemitism or violence directed at them.
Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., a longtime Piker critic, accused the streamer of blaming Jewish victims for antisemitism directed against them.
Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., also spoke out, rejecting the argument that Jewish Americans bear responsibility for hatred or violence directed against them.