CHICAGO — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York electrified the Democratic National Convention crowd Wednesday night with an impassioned speech that praised Kamala Harris as a visionary leader while attacking Donald Trump as a threat to traditional American freedoms.
In his first major appearance since becoming the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, Jeffries used the prime-time slot to portray Harris as a working-class fighter while portraying Trump as a threat to the middle class, reproductive rights and the fabric of American democracy.
The wide-ranging speech was part sermon, part pep talk for Harris and part attack on Trump, whom she called a “self-absorbed disruptor.”
Jeffries drew cheers when he likened Trump to the kind of stalking menace who was rejected by voters in 2020 but whose message didn’t get through.
“Donald Trump is like an old lover who broke up with you and won’t go away. He’s spent the last four years trying to repair his relationship with the American people,” Jeffries said. “Brother, we broke up with you for a reason.”
Jeffries then listed Trump’s major accomplishments in the White House, criticizing each one as a setback for ordinary Americans.
For example, Jeffries said the Republican tax cuts were a “scam” that heavily benefited the wealthy. Trump’s response to COVID-19 “failed our country,” he continued. He added that the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was an attempt by Trump “to destroy our democracy.” And the three conservative Supreme Court justices who sat under Trump’s direction “destroyed our democracy.”Roe v. Wade“It’s sacrificing women’s freedom,” he charged.
“We broke up with you for a reason,” Jeffries said. “Donald Trump can make all the excuses he wants, but there’s no reason for us to ever get back together. We’ve already done it. We’re never going back.”
Jeffries rose to the top of Democratic leadership at the beginning of this Congress, filling the void left by Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) stepping down from power after leading the party for 20 years. Now he’s not only trying to help the party keep the White House, he’s also fighting to retake control of the House of Representatives, which would set the stage for Jeffries to become the first Black Speaker of the House in U.S. history.
After attacking President Trump on Wednesday, Jeffries spent much of his speech pledging House Democrats and Harris’ incoming administration to work closely together on the party’s top priorities, a list that includes tackling climate change, overhauling immigration laws, strengthening Medicare benefits and restoring abortion protections that were repealed by constitutional amendment.egg.
In his distinctive voice, Jeffries again thrilled the audience as he explained his plans for bringing the show, which was filled with Bible references.
“You strategize on Sunday,” he said. “You have the moment on Monday. You tell them about it on Tuesday. You solve it on Wednesday. You thank God on Thursday. You fight the powers that be on Friday. You launch it on Saturday. You sleep a few hours, you wake up the next day, and you do it all over again until the morning is joy, joy, joy.”
Jeffries’ speaking style, easily recognizable to those who follow him closely on Capitol Hill but less known to those outside Washington, brought the audience at the United Center to their feet.
Jeffries also praised President Biden, who withdrew from the presidential race after facing pressure from many Democrats on and off Capitol Hill. Biden “selflessly passed the baton,” Jeffries said, and will be remembered by history as one of the most successful presidents.
“We couldn’t ask for a better leader to partner with than President Joseph Robinette Biden,” Jeffries said. “He will be remembered as one of the most important presidents in history.”
