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Who is Hakeem Jeffries, the Democrat poised to become House speaker?
Hakeem Jeffries is poised to become the first Black speaker of the US House after Democrats won control in the midterm elections. The role would put the New York congressman at the centre of efforts to challenge President Donald Trump during the final two years of his presidency, while also testing his ability to unite a party divided over how forcefully to oppose him.
Jeffries, 56, grew up in Brooklyn, worked as a lawyer and entered Congress in 2012 after serving in New York’s state assembly. He helped negotiate a bipartisan criminal justice reform law signed by Trump in 2018 and later served as a House impeachment manager. Known for building consensus, he faces criticism from progressives who favour a more confrontational approach; an online petition urging Democrats to choose another speaker had gathered more than 980,000 signatures by Saturday morning.
In short
- Jeffries could become the first Black House speaker.
- Progressives question his cautious approach to Trump.
- A petition against his selection passed 980,000 signatures.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Jeffries’ record of negotiation and consensus-building could help Democrats hold together a diverse caucus and make progress where bipartisan agreement is possible. Supporters may also see his experience in Congress and as an impeachment manager as useful preparation to scrutinise Trump’s administration effectively.
The case against
Progressives may argue that a consensus-first approach risks blunting the party’s response to Trump and failing to meet the urgency of the moment. They may favour a speaker more willing to use confrontation and the House’s powers forcefully, and see choosing someone else as a way to press for a clearer commitment to that strategy.