House Leadership: Hakeem Jeffries Set to Become First Black Speaker
The New York Democrat will assume the second position in the presidential line of succession after Democrats secure a majority in the midterm elections.
By Jonathan Hoffmann ·
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is positioned to become the first Black speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. This leadership role places him second in the presidential line of succession, directly behind the vice president. The election of Jeffries follows the decisive victory for House Democrats in the recent midterm elections.
Jeffries has served in the House since 2013, representing parts of Brooklyn, N.Y. His political career began after a stint as a private practice lawyer and six years in the New York State Assembly. In state government, he worked on regulations for warrantless stop-and-frisk searches by the New York City Police Department. In Congress, he initially focused on criminal justice policy before rising through the party ranks.
The path to the speakership involved navigating a diverse and often fractious Democratic caucus. Jeffries served as a top lieutenant to former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and was elected House minority leader in 2022. He was the first Black politician to lead either party in the House or Senate. His rise culminated in this top position after helping secure the party's majority.
Jeffries has cited his work on criminal justice reform as a core part of his legislative identity. During the first Trump administration, he led the effort to pass the First Step Act. This bipartisan legislation reduced sentences for some drug crimes. To achieve this, Jeffries worked closely with Jared Kushner, the former president's son-in-law. He described the collaboration as a partnership that produced real results.
The lawmaker faced criticism from some within his party for a private meeting with Kushner this year. The meeting was first reported by The New York Times and later confirmed by Jeffries. He stated he took the meeting at Kushner's request to discuss affordability issues. Jeffries added that Democrats intend to hold the administration accountable despite the private discussions.
As speaker, Jeffries will manage a caucus that includes a growing number of members aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America. He has previously described himself as a Black progressive who views systemic racism as a primary driver of American inequities, rather than class alone. He served as an impeachment manager during the Senate trial regarding President Trump's pressure campaign on Ukraine. He has said impeachment is not a top priority for the new term but remains a possibility.
The House will hold a floor vote for the speaker when the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3. Jeffries said on Tuesday night that the Democratic party understands the need to deliver dramatic change. He emphasized that the new Congress must put the American people first and focus on lowering costs.
