House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) criticized the Democratic Socialists of America and suggested the group’s activists lacked racial diversity.
Jeffries is widely expected to become House speaker, unless enough Democrats vote against him. But the party’s far-left wing has already hinted it may try to block his rise.
Jeffries has clashed before with allies of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a fellow Democratic Socialist. Mamdani had once threatened to support a primary challenge against Jeffries.
After Democrats’ midterm victories, tensions between the party’s establishment and its left flank have become harder to ignore.
Asked about DSA members chanting that he would be the next lawmaker to lose his seat, Jeffries noted that the crowd appeared to have little diversity.
“It was very interesting to me, as observed by others, that there was almost zero diversity in that crowd,” he said.
Jeffries’ political operation has also called the activists opposing him “Team Gentrification.” In June, the group said it would respond “forcefully and unrelentingly” if they pushed for a primary challenge.
Mamdani ultimately stepped back from that fight. The dispute could still shape the contest over the speakership, as Democrats weigh whether to support Jeffries or a candidate backed by the DSA.
Some Democrats have already criticized Jeffries’ remarks. Commentator and podcaster Krystal Ball argued that the dispute was about his political loyalties, not his race.
“We aren’t doing this s**t. It’s not about your race, it’s about you being beholden to corporate interests and opposed to the priorities of the voters who just handed you all this majority,” Ball said.
She also said Jeffries had been reluctant to endorse Mamdani until late in the campaign, while Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) did not endorse him.
Despite the rift with the DSA, Jeffries has the support of former President Barack Obama, which could help him secure the speakership. If elected, he would be the first Black speaker of the House.
