House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., drew progressive criticism Wednesday after saying Democrats should focus on lowering costs following their midterm victories instead of getting “even” with the Trump administration.
“The American people don’t want us to get even; they want us to get things done on their behalf because life is way too expensive,” Jeffries said on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe.” “We ran on affordability. We won on affordability, and now it’s our job to govern on affordability.”
Many progressives want Democrats, now that they will have majorities in the House and Senate, to launch investigations into President Donald Trump, his family and government officials.
Princeton historian Kevin Kruse criticized Jeffries, who is poised to become the next speaker of the House, while sharing a separate House Oversight Democrats post warning, “Lawyer up.”
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“As disheartening as Jeffries’ comments were, remember that other House Democrats actually understand the moment and are ready to meet it,” Kruse said in a Bluesky post.
University of Michigan education professor Ebony Elizabeth Thomas also rejected Jeffries’ framing, describing accountability as a matter of justice.
“I say this with all love, Brother Leader Jeffries: No,” Thomas said in a post responding to the clip. “And it’s not (just) retribution. It’s restorative justice.”
The Oversight Committee is expected to be chaired by Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., who was featured in the video put out by the committee’s Democrats.
Progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen said delivering for voters and investigating abuses of power should work together.
“As content creators, we hear from huge, diverse audiences, and they all want the same thing: a government that works for them, lower costs, leaders who listen and accountability when people abuse their power,” he said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“Delivering results and pursuing accountability go hand in hand, provided investigations follow the evidence and serve the public.
“Creators helped people get involved in this election, and we’re going to keep those conversations going, helping audiences stay informed and judge whether their elected leaders are delivering.”
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The discussion followed Democrats’ early warnings about using their anticipated investigative powers.
Jeffries also addressed accountability during Wednesday’s interview, saying Democrats should pursue facts, apply the law and follow the Constitution while holding wrongdoers responsible.
In an August CNN interview, he identified the Judiciary and Oversight committees as taking the lead on accountability. He declined to rule impeachment in or out.
“As we’ve done in the past, whenever there have been moments of accountability that we’ve had to lead on, we are guided by three principles: follow the facts, apply the law and be guided by the United States Constitution,” Jeffries said.
The White House said Trump remained willing to work with Democrats while criticizing the prospect of investigations targeting his administration.
“As the president has said, he’s willing to work with anyone to continue delivering victories for hardworking Americans. If Democrats choose to pursue sham investigations and radical left policies, they are choosing to work against the American people,” White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital.
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A White House official separately warned that the administration retained federal powers as Democrats prepared to pursue investigations and subpoenas.
“If crazed Democrats want to abuse their power and politicize their process of investigations, subpoenas and destroying lives, they should be reminded that we still control the federal government and all of its powers,” the official said.
Media Research Center President David Bozell separately criticized Democrats’ campaign message and accused news organizations of shielding the party from scrutiny.
“People want to talk about Trump defying norms? I think Democrats just defied a norm: They ran and won on … nothing,” Bozell said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“The media aided and abetted. They were relentlessly negative. They refused to cover any good news. They buried every wart within Democrats’ ranks. And today they will be right back at it.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Jeffries for comment but did not immediately receive a response.