Democrat Civil War Ahead? Hakeem Jeffries Under Fire

By
The Editors
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WASHINGTON (October 17, 2023) Minority Leader of the US House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, speaks at the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations Gathering at a Historic Synagogue, Sixth & I, in Washington, DC. (DHS photo by Tia Dufour)

What does it take to appease the radicals elected by the far-left wing of the Democratic Party on Tuesday? Apparently, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, not known for his conservative stances on anything, isn’t radical enough for voters. Jeffries is under fire from elite activists like movie star Mark Ruffalo, who advertised a petition to prevent Jeffries from becoming Speaker of the House. Ruffalo posted on X.com:

The petition on Change.org explains that its authors believe that Jeffries is “simply not the right choice” for Speaker. They write:

We believe the Speaker should represent the Democratic voters, not just the Democratic establishment.

The Speaker has enormous influence over the direction of the House, including its legislative priorities and agenda. Before casting their votes, representatives should closely examine Jeffries’s public record, policy positions, campaign donor record and leadership…and listen to constituents who do not want him elevated to Speaker.

This is not a foregone conclusion. There is still time for other Democratic members of the House to step forward and seek the nomination for Speaker, someone whose priorities more closely reflect the voters who hope to elect the Democratic majority.

We are calling on every member of the incoming 120th Congress to vote against Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker in January 2027 and choose a different candidate.

To Democratic members of The House of Representatives: If you believe you can better represent the priorities of the Democratic voters, now is the time to put your name forward.

Much of the criticism coming from the Democratic left appears to be over Jeffries’s support for Israel. Popular podcaster Charlamagne tha God called Jeffries “AIPAC Shakur” and on  The Breakfast Club podcast said, “Hakeem is a puppet. Hakeem is not doing anything if Chuck Schumer don’t tell him to do it, and it’s as simple as that.”

In response to the wins for Democrats in the election, AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee announced its support for “pro-Israel Democrats and Republicans,” and called out Schumer and Jeffries by name, writing:

AIPAC congratulates the hundreds of pro-Israel Democrats and Republicans who won their elections last night. More than 234 candidates supported by AIPAC members have already won, with many additional races still too close to call. We congratulate Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on the resounding victories for their caucuses.

AIPAC members are determined to expand their political activism in the cycles ahead. Our community will increase its support for Democrats and Republicans who recognize that a strong partnership with Israel helps keep both countries secure, advances peace and stability, promotes democratic values, and grows our economy through trade and innovation.

At the same time, other Democrats like Ro Khanna are calling to recognize the situation in Gaza as a genocide. Watch:

Will the tension between the “new left” and the “establishment left” be enough to derail the Democrats’ agenda in 2027? Or will they find enough common ground to move forward on their harmful policy priorities for America?

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