Hakeem Jeffries Set to Lead House as First Black Speaker

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is positioned to become the first Black speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. This elevation follows his role in securing a decisive midterm victory for House Democrats. If elected, Jeffries will move to the second spot in the presidential line of succession, behind the vice president.

Jeffries has served in the House for nearly 14 years, representing parts of Brooklyn, N.Y., since 2013. His career path moved from a rank-and-file member focused on criminal justice to a top party lieutenant. He currently serves as the House minority leader, a position he has held since 2022. No Black politician had previously led either party in the House or Senate.

The Brooklyn native began his career in the New York State Assembly, where he served for six years. He worked to regulate warrantless stop-and-frisk searches by the New York City Police Department. Before entering politics, Jeffries worked as a lawyer in private practice. He credited a law school legal clinic with sparking his interest in criminal justice reform.

During the first Trump administration, Jeffries led the effort to pass the bipartisan First Step Act. The legislation reduced sentences for some drug crimes. He worked closely with Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, to secure the coalition needed for passage. Jeffries described the partnership as producing real results despite the unusual pairing.

Jeffries faced internal party criticism this year after meeting privately with Kushner. The New York Times first reported the meeting, which Jeffries later confirmed. He said the meeting took place at Kushner’s request to discuss affordability. Democrats stated they intend to hold the administration accountable while acknowledging the need for cooperation.

As speaker, Jeffries must navigate a diverse and often fractious House Democratic caucus. He previously served as a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and sponsored Medicare for All proposals. He has stated that Black progressives tackle issues with an understanding of systemic racism, rather than viewing class as the sole defining problem.

Jeffries told The Atlantic in 2021 that he would not bend the knee to hard-left democratic socialism. He noted that his experience as a Black man in the country shapes his views on systemic inequities. He has also managed impeachment trials, including the Senate trial over the Ukraine aid controversy involving former President Donald Trump.

The House will hold a floor vote for speaker when the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3. Jeffries said on Tuesday night that the new Congress must put the American people first. He described the election result as a mandate for dramatic change in how the body operates.