Ashley Etienne, who previously served as the communications director for both former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Vice President Kamala Harris, criticized minority leader Hakeem Jeffries during a podcast episode released on Thursday. She didn’t hold back on her thoughts regarding Jeffries, who has taken the reins of the Democratic Caucus, especially his coordination and organizational skills, which she deemed lacking.
In her conversation with Politico’s Rachel Bade, Etienne remarked on a discussion with a fellow Democrat, painting Jeffries as somewhat indecisive and not assertive enough to stand up to Donald Trump. “There’s a saying that if there’s no adjustment, it’s just a talking point in the paper,” she mentioned, suggesting that’s where the Democratic party currently stands.
Etienne expressed concern over the shift away from Pelosi’s era, calling it “the stupidest thing ever.” While she acknowledged Jeffries’s talent in messaging, she quickly pointed out that key House Democrats struggle with making solid decisions on how to communicate effectively.
According to Etienne, some members have said Jeffries tends to overthink things, taking too long to make decisions. “I think it shows a lack of instinct. This may be expected from someone still figuring out their leadership role, but it can also indicate a disconnect with the Caucus,” she added.
Facing pressure from the left for a lack of direction against the Trump administration, Jeffries, during his speech to Congress, seemed to struggle with maintaining control over the Caucus, Etienne observed. “I felt embarrassed about the numerous protests during his joint address,” she recalled. “The tactics should be used with discretion, and I think that’s something Jeffries needs to learn.”
After Trump’s address, a flurry of Democratic protests made headlines, particularly due to Rep. Al Green’s confusion that led to lawmakers being removed from the room. While Etienne participated in multiple media interviews, she noted a failure in communication within the Democratic leadership regarding pressing matters.
Etienne was disappointed when Jeffries claimed earlier this year that Democrats “have no power” while in the minority. “He didn’t seem to seek a genuine solution to that question,” she commented. “Trump is giving us all this ammunition, and we seem to be squandering it.”
Mike Marinella, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, weighed in, stating that Jeffries is the leader of a team that neither respects nor follows him. He highlighted Jeffries’ struggles in effectively communicating with his party, mentioning a particular instance where Jeffries instructed Democrats to halt their trip to El Salvador. After being challenged about this, Jeffries’s office dismissed the report as a complete fabrication.
In a press conference, Jeffries faced questions regarding his message on various issues, including the Democrats’ stance on illegal immigration. “When the time comes, we’ll deal with that” was his vague response when pressed about supporting members on future trips. As of now, Jeffries and his team have not responded to further inquiries regarding the criticism.
