Leader Jeffries on News 12:”Dramatic Change is Necessary”

October 21st, 2026 | Press Release LEADER JEFFRIES ON NEWS 12:”DRAMATIC CHANGE IS NECESSARY” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined Tara Rosenblum in Brooklyn’s Shirley Chisholm State Park for a special edition of News 12’s Power & Politics, where he discussed the path to taking back the House of Representatives and how House Democrats are fighting for an affordable America. TARA ROSENBLUM: You sound extraordinarily confident that the Democrats will be able to win back the House, but we have seen here in New York where the polls have gotten a lot of big races wrong lately. So what is it that you’re seeing on the ground that makes you feel so optimistic? That’s always the best barometer, right? On the ground, talking to the voters. LEADER JEFFRIES: On the ground, I’ve been traveling the country talking to everyday Americans, and what’s clear is that dramatic change is necessary. The American people know that things aren’t going well. Too many Americans are drowning in this failed Trump-Republican economy . TARA ROSENBLUM: And we’re going to talk a lot about the economy in this interview, but first I want to drill down and go hyper-local because, as you know, a number of the tightest House races in the country are playing out right here at home. So as you’re sitting down and you’re doing this midterm math, what are the local races that you feel are the most pivotal, the best pickup opportunities towards your path to the majority? LEADER JEFFRIES: We’re working hard to make sure that Congressman Tom Suozzi and Congresswoman Laura Gillen are both reelected. They’re doing an extraordinary job on behalf of the people of Nassau County, fighting every day to try to make life more affordable . At the same period of time, in the northern New York City suburbs of Westchester and Rockland County, Cait Conley, a combat veteran, a patriot, a national security professional, is running an extraordinary race to win a seat currently held by a Republican Congressman, Mike Lawler. TARA ROSENBLUM: You have called Mike Lawler an ‘unmitigated fraud,’ yet some of your fellow Democrats have broke ranks and endorsed him, like Jared Golden. What do you make of that? And I guess the more important question is, can you flip the House if you don’t win NY-17? LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, NY-17 is going to be incredibly important, and Cait is doing a great job, and I believe that she is going to be elected to Congress in November . Jared is going to have to speak for his own decisions. He’s a retiring Member of Congress. He’s from Maine, hundreds of miles away. This is a race that’s going to be decided by people on the ground. TARA ROSENBLUM: I know you’ve said that you will address this after Election Day. What do you think are the appropriate consequences for Democrats who break rank on important endorsements or critical votes? LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we’ll have a family conversation about the best way for us to proceed in the aftermath of the November 3 midterm elections. Right now we’ve got to be all-hands-on-deck to make sure that we’re successful . TARA ROSENBLUM: You also mentioned the Long Island Congressman from our backyard, Tom Suozzi. He has made some recent statements expressing concern that the party is pouring a lot of resources into those pickup opportunities like NY-17, and perhaps short-changing safer seats like his. How do you respond to that? Is the party stretched too thin right now? LEADER JEFFRIES: Our first priority will remain making sure that our incumbents like Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen and Josh Riley here in New York and in other parts of the country are re-elected. TARA ROSENBLUM: You know, it’s looking like a number of these tight races will come down to a few thousand votes, which means that these Independent voters will be pivotal, and when we’re out and about in the streets talking to our Independent voters, especially in the suburbs, you know, in the Hudson Valley, Long Island, New Jersey, a lot of them express just as much frustration as they feel with the President’s policies as they do with some of the leftward push from the Democratic Party. So how do you win over those Independents without alienating the progressives? And really the bigger question is, do you think that some of the Democrats’ policies have moved too far left to win the suburbs? LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, what unites the House Democratic Caucus, whether that is the progressive wing or New Dems or Blue Dogs, is the fact that all of us recognize life is way too expensive . And there’s a shared aspiration to make life better for everyday Americans, working-class Americans and middle-class Americans, including those hardworking American taxpayers in the suburbs. And that really is going to be our driving, core mission, because we know that a lot of promises were made by Donald Trump and Republicans with respect to affordability, and in my view, our view, they’ve left behind a graveyard of broken promises . TARA ROSENBLUM: In addition to reversing some of Trump—President Trump’s policies, I know you’ve been an outspoken critic of his tariff decisions. Tell me a Democratic proposal that you would push for next year that would help out with affordability and help families afford food and fuel and housing costs. LEADER JEFFRIES: It’s clear to us, as Democrats, that we need to dramatically build more housing that the American people can afford . And in this Congress, we were able to pass a housing affordability bill—that is now law—that will start that process, but it’s clear that more needs to be done. So, we can enhance and strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which is a vehicle used by affordable housing developers to build housing that working-class folks and middle-class folks and everyday Americans can actually live in with dignity and respect. We need to lean into the affordable housing space in that regard by strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, increasingly used for moderate-income housing as well. I think we need to put money in the pockets of everyday Americans by doing things like expanding the Child Tax Credit, as well as the Earned Income Tax Credit. And, of course, we also need to end this war because the war has dramatically increased gas prices, fertilizer prices and diesel costs . And that’s had an impact on the American people that is hurting their pocketbooks. TARA ROSENBLUM: And you’re referring to the Iran war? LEADER JEFFRIES: That’s correct. TARA ROSENBLUM: I know in a recent interview when you were asked about withholding funding, you stopped short. So if the Democrats take back the House, and if you become Speaker, and if President Trump continues this military option, will you pursue the House’s power of the purse to force an end to this war? LEADER JEFFRIES: I don’t want to get out ahead of the appropriators and that effort, in terms of figuring out how we deal with this issue, will be led by Rosa DeLauro, who will be the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee and the next Chair. But we do have to look at every available legislative mean in order to do what the American people want us to do, which is bring an end to this reckless, unnecessary war . TARA ROSENBLUM: You have also said that should you—should the Democrats take back the House, you have said you will start ‘holding the crooks accountable on day one.’ And when I heard you say that, I was wondering—who is he referring to by ‘crooks,’ and what does accountability look like? LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, what we’ve said is that if folks are out there, and you have been stealing from the American people, shortchanging the American people or screwing over the American people, that beginning on day one, we’re going to hold the crooks accountable. We’ve seen unprecedented corruption unleashed by the Trump Cartel, broadly defined, on the American people in ways that are inconsistent with delivering a government of the people, by the people and for the people . This executive branch, the Trump Cartel, is totally out of control. The American people know it. There’s a new scandal that arises every day. And we’ve got to clean that mess up . TARA ROSENBLUM: You have repeatedly refused to rule out impeaching the President. So looking forward, in 2028, what would it take for you to consider a third impeachment? LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we haven’t ruled anything in and we haven’t ruled anything out . The oversight efforts are going to be led by the House Judiciary Committee Democrats and Jamie Raskin, the next Chair of the Judiciary Committee, who’s doing an extraordinary job, and Robert Garcia, along with the House Oversight Committee Democrats, who’s done an incredible job in trying to make sure that we are delivering transparency and accountability to the American people. They’re both professionals, and it’s my expectation that the Democrats on these two committees are going to do right by the American people. And that means following the facts, applying the law, being guided by the Constitution and then letting the chips fall where they may . TARA ROSENBLUM: Coming up, I ask Leader Jeffries who he thinks should lead the top of the Democratic ticket in 2028. Stay with us. TARA ROSENBLUM: We continue our exclusive conversation now with Hakeem Jeffries, turning our focus to foreign policy and the future of the Democratic Party. Since we’re talking about the future—I know you’re not one to hang up the curtains ahead of time. I know that’s your style—but a number of the Democratic nominees who look poised to win in November, like Darializa Avila Chevalier, have said that, well, they have not yet said that they would support you for Speaker. I know you’ve met with all of them individually as well. In those private conversations, have they indicated to you what it would take to earn their support yet? LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we haven’t had that conversation, and I haven’t asked anyone for their support in connection with what may happen on January 3, which will be the date of the new Congress, because I think it’s appropriate for us to focus on getting the job done in terms of what’s in front of us, and that’s winning in what will remain a challenging environment because of the evenly divided nature of the country. TARA ROSENBLUM: Now we get to have some fun. LEADER JEFFRIES: Okay. TARA ROSENBLUM: Let’s talk 2028— LEADER JEFFRIES: All right. TARA ROSENBLUM: —and the future of the Democratic Party. I want you to name three people who you think could lead the Democratic presidential ticket. Just three. LEADER JEFFRIES: It’s a great question, but the American people are going to make that decision. I’m not going to get out ahead of the American people. I think we’ve got a lot of tremendous candidates, some Governors, some Senators, a few Members of the House who may put their hat into the ring . But until they do so, and nobody is going to declare for the 2028 presidential race until after we get through the midterm elections, I’m going to defer commenting on who hypothetically could lead. We do need a dramatic change, a next-generation Democrat to lead the party forward . TARA ROSENBLUM: Well, you mentioned next generation, and you mentioned House Members, so that made me think of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, your fellow New Yorker. You have said that the sky’s the limit for her. Would you like to see her run for the White House, or do you think she should run for Chuck Schumer’s seat if he doesn’t run again? LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, she’s going to have to make that decision on her own, which I assume she will over the next few months. TARA ROSENBLUM: Would she be a good candidate for either of those offices? LEADER JEFFRIES: She’d be a good candidate for whatever office she decides to run for. She’s an extraordinary leader who has done a great job in the House of Representatives. She’s been a great colleague. She’s led on a whole host of issues that matter to so many different New Yorkers and Americans all across the country. And it’s going to be interesting to see what decision she makes. I assume she’ll make one over the next couple of months. TARA ROSENBLUM: Do you think Chuck Schumer should run again? LEADER JEFFRIES: I think Chuck Schumer has done a tremendous job in putting the Senate into play when so many people didn’t believe that possible. And now we’re going to take back the House and are on the doorstep of taking back the Senate . And so, I’m not going to get out ahead of any decisions that Chuck Schumer may or may not make. TARA ROSENBLUM: I recently interviewed Congressman Pat Ryan from the Hudson Valley, and he sure sounded like he was interested in running for Chuck Schumer’s seat if he doesn’t run for reelection, and if AOC doesn’t run. What do you think of him as a candidate? LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I haven’t talked to Pat about that, but Pat’s been a great patriot, a combat veteran, a principled next-generation leader , and I think he has a bright future. TARA ROSENBLUM: I have to get your take now on immigration and specifically the ICE shooting that just happened in our backyard in the Bronx earlier this month. Where do you think the line should be held between immigration enforcement and protecting our immigrant communities? LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, ICE is completely and totally out of control. And that’s the reason why, as House Democrats, we’ve made clear that we are not providing a dime to Donald Trump’s violent mass deportation machine . We think that dramatic changes are necessary in order to get the situation turned around with respect to ICE, including ensuring that there are state and local independent investigations so that when the law has been broken, there can actually be accountability. We want to make sure that ICE agents are required to obtain judicial warrants before they can break into any homes, seize any individuals in manners that we believe are often inconsistent with the spirit, or the actual Fourth Amendment. We think that ICE agents should be required to wear body cameras. The masks need to come down. TARA ROSENBLUM: Ms. Chevalier was at that protest following the shooting and claimed she was thrown to the ground. And just yesterday, she called for Jessica Tisch, the NYPD Commissioner, to resign or be fired. What do you make of her comments? LEADER JEFFRIES: I certainly support Mayor Mamdani’s leadership, and support his willingness to stick behind Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who I believe has done an extraordinary job in helping to keep the City of New York safe. TARA ROSENBLUM: And of course, the divisions within your party also extend to Israel. And on October 7, you put out a statement. You said, ‘American policy in the Middle East must change dramatically.’ So what would that look like? Would you support conditioning aid to Israel going forward? LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, what I support is—we have to lift up two principles at the same time. Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state, living side by side in peace and prosperity with an independent Palestinian state, so that we can provide dignity and self-determination to the Palestinian people, which they’ve long sought but have been unable to achieve. I think America needs to reinforce its commitment to a two-state solution in order to achieve a just and lasting peace . And that, to me, is where the overwhelming majority of the American people are at. TARA ROSENBLUM: Let’s talk about now the recent rape case at Cornell, which has raised questions about how consent is defined and proven. Right now, the legal definition of consent varies state-to-state. Do you believe that there should be a uniform federal definition of sexual consent or a federal law establishing clear standards for sexual assault cases? LEADER JEFFRIES: I think we should take a look at that, and certainly as it applies to what takes place on college campuses and universities all across the country. This is a deeply searing, deeply troubling case. Serious allegations have been raised. It requires a very serious investigation. I have full faith and confidence in Attorney General Tish James and her office to professionally follow the facts and apply the law and make sure that there is justice that is brought to bear. TARA ROSENBLUM: Coming up, we go beyond politics. A more personal side of Hakeem Jeffries. That’s next. TARA ROSENBLUM : We’ve spent much of our conversation focused on the future of Congress, but to understand where Hakeem Jeffries may be heading next, we have to look back to where his story began, right here in Brooklyn. So we are sitting here in Shirley Chisholm State Park, and I know you’ve spoken a lot about the outsized influence she had on you as a young boy growing up in Brooklyn. She broke one of the biggest barriers in Congress, and now you could be on the cusp of breaking another. What do you think she would think of where you’re at right now on your journey? LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, it’s an honor to stand on the shoulders—the legendary, iconic, heroic shoulders of a great leader like Shirley Chisholm , whose district I now largely represent in Brooklyn. She, of course, broke an extraordinary barrier in becoming the first African American woman ever to serve in the Congress. And she served with courage, with intellect and with boldness. And as I move forward, wherever that may lead, I look forward to continuing to channel, as best I can, her tremendous spirit of service . TARA ROSENBLUM: And I know your father passed away in 2023 before he could see you reach this point. Your mother, who grew up right in our backyard in Connecticut, also helped shape your values and commitment to public service. If you make history as the first Black Speaker of the House—I could see those words hitting you as I say them—you think that your Dad would be so proud of that moment? LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we’ll certainly cross that bridge when we get to it in January. But it’s been a blessing to have been raised by my Mom and Dad here in Brooklyn in a union household, working-class neighborhood in Central Brooklyn, coming of age in the middle of the crack cocaine epidemic, a very difficult time, having grown up in the Cornerstone Baptist Church . And, of course, my Mom and Dad both instilling in my brother and I the value of hard work and caring for others and being community-centered. And so, as I travel along this journey, I know Dad is looking down upon my younger brother and I. And I can take comfort in that. TARA ROSENBLUM: And now you’re raising two boys of your own. As you take off the politician hat and put on the dad hat, what worries you most about the America that they’re growing up in? LEADER JEFFRIES: I think the big question that has to be resolved for the American people is: Can we keep the American Dream alive? TARA ROSENBLUM: But for now, Hakeem Jeffries’ political future rests with you, the voters, and in just a few weeks we’ll find out if his next chapter is one for the history books. I’m Tara Rosenblum. Thank you for joining us for this special edition of Power & Politics. Full interview can be watched here . Back to News Share: Facebook Twitter