For the last 15-plus years, hardline conservative Republicans have tormented their speakers and wannabe-speakers, forcing two out of office and ruining the lives of others.
But progressives are lining up behind Hakeem Jeffries as the next speaker if House Democrats win the majority in November, despite the anti-establishment fervor sweeping over the party base.
While a smattering of progressive Democratic candidates have expressed skepticism that Jeffries is the right person to lead the caucus, rank-and-file House Democrats see Jeffries as their pick next year — provided they win first — according to interviews with dozens of House Democratic insiders.
In President Donald Trump’s second term, Democratic voters have accused their party’s congressional leadership of mounting a weak or ineffective response to Trump and the MAGA movement. Much of that ire has focused on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who was ripped by the left — as well as many House Democrats — for backing a March 2025 government funding bill.
The anger at Jeffries, who’s less well-known nationally, is more muted. In the House, there’s little appetite for change among the rank-and-file House Democrats who will decide Jeffries’ fate.
The dynamics. Jeffries has won plaudits from all corners of the Democratic Caucus for successfully driving the political narrative even while in the minority.
Jeffries has held his caucus united on key votes. Plus, he led a successful discharge petition strategy highlighted by the move to extend the ACA tax credits.
Progressives are also happy with Jeffries’ aggressive response to the Republican redistricting effort, especially in Virginia.
“He stood up strong in this healthcare fight, on the ICE funding fight and then not just taking the gerrymandering lying down, but actually fighting back,” Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar (D-Texas) said. “If we win the majority, I expect that he’ll be speaker.”
And frankly, there’s currently no plausible alternative to lead House Democrats.
“I haven’t heard of a single person who has said, ‘I’m gonna take on the leader.’ Not a single person. So then it’s all just theoretical, right?” Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) said.
Members we spoke to dismissed the anti-Jeffries saber-rattling as rhetoric that some candidates use to raise money and differentiate themselves in primary elections.
“I think some of the people that complain are likely not to be coming to Congress in any way,” Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) said. “I am quite confident that the next speaker will be Hakeem Jeffries.”
Jeffries and the left. Jeffries used to spar far more prominently with progressives when he was caucus chair. In 2021, Jeffries founded Team Blue PAC, alongside more moderate Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), to help incumbents fend off left-wing primary challenges. This put Jeffries at odds with groups like Justice Democrats and strained the New York Democrat’s relationship with his left flank.
Team Blue PAC is now dormant.
Jeffries also has close ties to pro-Israel groups, a connection quickly becoming less common inside the Democratic Party.
In recent years, Jeffries has worked behind the scenes to repair relationships with the left wing in his caucus. Jeffries faced a short-lived primary challenge from Chi Ossé this cycle, but Ossé dropped out after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani opposed the primary bid.
Plus, Jeffries enjoys strong support from moderates, like Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.).
“Jeffries is doing a fantastic job as the leader, and if the Democrats win the majority, it’s absolutely certain that he will be the speaker,” Suozzi said.
CBC dynamics. If Democrats win, Jeffries would become the first Black speaker, a historic milestone for the Congressional Black Caucus, the House and the country. He would immediately become the most important Democrat in Washington until the party picks a presidential nominee, able to force showdowns with Trump on a variety of issues.
Yet Jeffries would quickly face the Trump impeachment question as well, something House Democratic leaders duck right now.
The Pelosi angle. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi faced a tougher path getting back the speaker’s gavel following her party’s 2018 victory. While Democrats took the majority that cycle, a number of moderates in swing districts won their races while pledging to oppose Pelosi’s leadership. The California Democrat broke the dissenters down and reclaimed the speaker position.
Jeffries’ style. Every conversation about Jeffries’ leadership draws comparisons to Pelosi. House Democrats acknowledge that while Pelosi used an iron fist with a velvet glove, Jeffries is more conciliatory, relying on goodwill and quiet prodding within his caucus to get things done.
Jeffries and Pelosi often can be seen having long conversations together on the House floor during votes. Pelosi has helped deal with some thorny issues, such as former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-Calif.) scandal and former President Joe Biden’s collapsing candidacy in 2024.
But the New York Democrat also approaches every decision by trying to reach a consensus among his caucus. This can sometimes frustrate lawmakers looking for more direction from tough votes by Republicans. A recent example was the 2025 Boulder attack resolution, which divided the caucus and is returning to haunt center-left Democrats seeking higher office.
Jeffries, though, has adopted a more confrontational approach in recent months, especially with Trump. Jeffries went all-in on the redistricting wars, starting with California. In social media posts, he has wielded baseball bats and cursed out Trump.
Jeffries, along with House Minority Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, have formed an effective trio atop the Democratic Caucus after taking over from the old guard of Pelosi, Steny Hoyer and Jim Clyburn.
