House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) came out against the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which is in the process of mounting a hostile takeover of the Democratic Party.
Panic is gripping the Democrat establishment as radical candidates backed by the far-left organization have pulled off a string of upsets in this summer’s primaries in which they have toppled several incumbents, including those endorsed by Jeffries in a major humiliation for the man who aspires to be the next House Speaker.
“Dollar Store Obama” appeared on this week’s edition of the NBC Sunday morning flagship “Meet the Press,” where he was asked by host Kristen Welker about his take on the far-left DSA policies and whether there’s room for socialists in the “big tent.”
Hakeem Jeffries: “I do not support defunding the police. I do not support open borders. I do not support abolishing the Senate.”
The various DSA reps being emboldened to go on a media blitz has forced the Democrat leader of the House to deem it necessary to articulate these… pic.twitter.com/6Zn5gvseG8
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) August 16, 2026
“Do democratic socialists belong in the Democratic Party, Leader Jeffries?” Welker asked the top House Democrat.
“Well, what I can say is that I do not support defunding the police. I do not support open borders. I do support abolishing the Senate,” Jeffries responded. “We’re focused on actually solving problems that hardworking American taxpayers want us to solve, which is to lower the high cost of living in a situation where life is far too expensive in this country. That’s the Democratic agenda. That’s what House Democrats are fighting to achieve.”
“I don’t support the DSA agenda, as has been articulated by the DSA itself. Now, you’re going to have individual members who have been elected in Democratic primaries and, if they are elected in the general in November, will be part of the House Democratic Caucus. It’s going to be a broad caucus. There will be progressives. There will be New Dems. There will be Blue Dogs,” he added, downplaying the influence the radicals will have.
Jeffries was also asked about two major objectives of the socialists, abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Medicare for all, and while he didn’t rule out either, his answer left much to be desired from leftists.
Former MSNBC/MS NOW host Mehdi Hasan groused, “This man is so out of touch with his party. How is he their leader??”
A reminder that the vast majority of Democrats across the country support Medicare for All. This man is so out of touch with his party. How is he their leader?? https://t.co/qfUhh4q583
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) August 16, 2026
Podcaster Kyle Kulinski accused Jeffries of hurting the Democrats’ midterm chances.
Between 75% and 88% of Dem voters support a Medicare for All single-payer healthcare system. He needs to step down. Between this and his Israel position he’s actively hurting our chances of defeating MAGA fascism. This is completely unacceptable. https://t.co/yN6js6nGYN
— Secular Talk ([email protected]) (@KyleKulinski) August 16, 2026
Increasingly influential bomb-thrower Hasan Piker’s uncle isn’t a big fan either.
This is a terrible answer in every respect. But the worst part wasn’t about Medicare for All. He said they’re planning for Nov. 3rd, not Jan. 3rd. That’s exactly the problem! They didn’t bother to come up with a legislative agenda for Jan. 3rd to excite people to vote on Nov.…
— Cenk Uygur (@cenkuygur) August 16, 2026
In a recent interview, President Donald J. Trump downplayed his tense relationship with the Dem leader, referring to Jeffries as a “nice guy” whom he could “get along with” if the Democrats retake the House, words that will only further inflame his critics.
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