House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has defended his recent meeting with Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, stating that the discussion centered on the "affordability crisis."
Jeffries addressed the meeting in a video released on Monday, following reports that the encounter had sparked criticism from some on the left. He indicated that the conversation with Kushner explored potential areas of common ground.
In the video, Jeffries also highlighted House Democrats' consistent opposition to the Trump administration since the beginning of the Congress. He detailed the party's efforts to hold the administration accountable, citing battles over issues such as tariffs, Medicaid, the Iran war, funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and what he described as "unprecedented corruption."
"We're gonna follow the facts, apply the law, and be guided by the Constitution, beginning on day one, and hold the crooks accountable," Jeffries stated, referencing the actions taken by House Democrats throughout their tenure. He also noted that "no one is going to get a pass."
Jeffries is a potential candidate for House Speaker should Democrats regain the majority in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. The meeting with Kushner, who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, has drawn scrutiny from various political factions, prompting Jeffries to issue the video clarification.
