With the midterm elections little more than ten weeks away, The New York Times reported that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently sat down for a private meeting with President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Neither has disclosed the full nature of the meeting, but a source told the Times it was a “catch-up” of sorts between the two men, who have known each other since the first Trump administration. Their conversation touched on areas where they might find common ground, including housing, immigration and the cost of living.
Trump has previously referred to Jeffries as a “low IQ” person, while Jeffries has called the president corrupt and vowed to hold him accountable if Democrats take control of the House in November.
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Razor-thin House margin
Republicans currently hold a slim 218-213 House majority, with every seat up for election in the midterms. If Democrats flip just a handful of seats in November, Jeffries could become House speaker in January.
Trump has warned that Democrats will impeach him if they regain control of the House.
Substance of meeting
Asked about the meeting with Kushner, Jeffries said Republicans would have to budge to find common ground with Democrats.
“Throughout this Congress, Republicans have adopted a my-way-or-the-highway approach to governing that has failed the American people,“ Jeffries said. “Every conversation that we have with the Trump administration, we will continue to make it explicitly clear that the affordability crisis is not a hoax and nothing short of transformational policy change is acceptable.”
Kushner has served as a point man in Trump administration negotiations overseas during the president’s second term, despite holding no official title.
Kushner, who is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka, has been heavily involved in negotiations over the war in Iran. He has also worked on efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza and end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Two sources told the Times that Kushner suggested Jeffries meet with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles to explore areas where Congress and the Trump administration could work together on a bipartisan basis.
House Speaker predicts GOP victory
House Speaker Mike Johnson, speaking on Fox News Sunday, called Kushner a “smart guy.”
Johnson also warned against betting against Republicans in November, predicting, “Our base is going to turn out, and we’re going to hold the House Republican majority.”
If Republicans retain the majority, Jeffries would remain House minority leader rather than becoming speaker.
Round out your reading
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- Photos and video show exactly where and when Trump visited Ground Zero after 9/11.
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