Hakeem Jeffries addresses Democratic Party divisions, says Trump is the bigger issue [View all]
Source: NPR
Updated July 3, 2026 8:53 AM ET
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is making the case for party unity as this year's primary season exposes ideological divisions among Democrats.
Speaking with Morning Edition on Friday, Jeffries was asked twice by NPR's Michel Martin how he would work with candidates who defeated Democrats he had backed in New York primaries. Each time, Jeffries returned to President Trump and the GOP agenda, saying Democrats are focused on flipping Republican-held seats in November, lowering costs and opposing what he called "MAGA extremism."
He added that the House Democratic Caucus has long included progressives, New Democrats and Blue Dogs. "I've worked with sort of the ideologically diverse group of members up until this point and will continue to do so," Jeffries said.
Jeffries criticized Trump's decision to enter the conflict in the Middle East, saying House Democrats oppose what he called the president's "war of choice."
Read more: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/03/nx-s1-5879082/hakeem-jeffries-democratic-party-divisions-trump-midterms
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