The White House is demanding that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., apologize to Americans for saying Friday that his supporters plan to "fight" President Donald Trump's agenda "in the streets."
During a press conference in Brooklyn, Jeffries was asked about New York City's future under embattled Mayor Eric Adams. After saying he'll comment further on the mayorship "at the appropriate time," Jeffries focused on attacking Trump and the GOP in Congress.
"We're going to keep focused on the need to look out for everyday New Yorkers and everyday Americans who are under assault by an extreme MAGA Republican agenda that is trying to cut taxes for billionaires, donors, and wealthy corporations and then stick New Yorkers and working-class Americans across the country with the bill. That's not acceptable," Jeffries said toward the end of the press conference.
"We are going to fight it legislatively. We are going to fight it in the courts. And we're going to fight it in the streets."
The Trump White House used its "Rapid Response 47" account on X to blast Jeffries for his comments concerning violence in the streets.
"Will Minority Leader Jeffries apologize for this disgusting threat? Or will he double down on the same calls for violence that have plagued the country for years?" the White House X account posted.
Jeffries uttered his fighting words at a press conference with Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke, D-N.Y., and representatives from Citymeals, early childhood development centers, and local violence interruption organizations to claim Republicans steals taxpayer money from hardworking Americans to reward billionaire donors and wealthy corporations.
Jeffries reportedly used similar words on Wednesday when House Democrats held an "emergency" Zoom meeting to discuss strategies in combating Trump's agenda.
Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., said Jeffries described opposing Trump and Republicans "as a legal fight, a legislative fight, and a street fight. And I couldn't put it better."
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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