Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville unleashed an expletive-laden critique of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for a reported meeting with Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump.
Carville, speaking in a video for Politicon on Monday, stated that while Democrats may have differing opinions on various subjects, there is a universal belief that the individuals associated with the Trump administration are "a pack of felons and traitors." He asserted that such individuals should not be met with, emphasizing that the only appropriate action is to hold them accountable.
The New York Times reported Sunday that Jeffries and Kushner met in New York City to discuss potential areas of common ground, including housing, immigration, and the cost of living. Five individuals with knowledge of the meeting provided the information.
Carville specifically targeted Kushner, suggesting he should face committee questioning regarding alleged "backdoor-dealing" and his business dealings. He stated, "We don’t like you — none of you."
Kushner has faced scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest due to his roles as a Trump advisor on diplomatic efforts involving the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, while simultaneously leading a private equity firm that has received significant funding from those same governments. He also has close ties to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Jeffries responded to the backlash in a social media video published Monday, stating, "No one from the Trump Cartel is getting a pass." He indicated that Kushner had initiated the meeting and reiterated Democrats' commitment to holding those he described as "crooks" accountable.
Carville, however, expressed indifference to who initiated the meeting. He argued that engaging with such individuals is inappropriate, especially when constituents are experiencing hardship and national debt is high. He criticized the notion of meeting with those perceived as making "backdoor bullshit deals," advocating instead for all business to be conducted under oath.