Jeffries Addresses Private Meeting With Kushner, Saying Conversation Will Not Affect Democratic Investigations Into ‘Trump Cartel’

The House minority leader, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries — who is favored to be the next House speaker — is now addressing his private meeting with the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Mr. Jeffries says his conversation with Mr. Kushner will have no impact on potential investigations into the “Trump cartel.”After the New York Times first reported Mr. Jeffries’ meeting with Mr. Kushner, several liberal commentators were quick to condemn Mr. Jeffries’ decision. Mr. Jeffries says it was Mr. Kushner — an unofficial White House advisor on foreign policy issues — who asked for the meeting. The minority leader says they discussed “the affordability crisis.”“I wanted to give you a little real talk on this Jared Kushner situation,” Mr. Jeffries says in a direct-to-camera video posted to X. “He asked for a meeting and I took it to discuss the affordability crisis that exists that is not a ‘hoax,’” he said, referencing how President Trump describes the high cost of living. “I shouldn’t have to say it, but I am: No one is going to get a pass. We’re going to hold every single member of the Trump cartel accountable beginning on day one,” Mr. Jeffries says. “If you’re stealing from the American people, shortchanging the American people, or screwing over the American people, you’re going to be held accountable.”The unusual meeting — which was kept private until the Times report — marks a stark contrast with how other Democratic leaders have handled the Trump administration in the past. From the moment she returned to the House’s top job, Speaker Nancy Pelosi had an especially ugly relationship with Mr. Trump. Mr. Jeffries’ decision to take such a meeting with Mr. Kushner signals a kind of openness that has not before been seen between leading Democrats and members of Mr. Trump’s inner circle. Mr. Kushner is especially at risk of being hauled before Congress if Democrats take either the House or Senate majority — or both — next year. Several Democratic ranking members, including on the House Oversight and Senate Finance Committees, have said Mr. Kushner will be probed under Democratic control. Mr. Kushner has numerous business interests in the Middle East as he advises the administration on ending conflicts in both Israel and in Iran. Still, despite the fact that Mr. Kushner is one of Democrats’ top targets, Mr. Jeffries defended the fact that he took the meeting. “We have a responsibility to deal with the fact that life is too expensive,” the minority leader said in his video. “And that’s what we intend to do.”Like during the first Trump administration after Democrats took control of the House, many in Mr. Trump’s inner circle are expected to come under investigation should Mr. Jeffries take the speaker’s gavel in January. The president’s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, will almost certainly be investigated for their work on their cryptocurrency company, World Liberty Financial. The commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, has already faced questions about his friendship with the notorious sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. Other topics that may come up for congressional probes include the possible use of prediction markets by members of the administration to make a quick buck, the president’s own income during his term, and Mr. Trump’s use of the pardon power to reward allies.

Jeffries Addresses Private Meeting With Kushner, Saying Conversation Will Not Affect Democratic Investigations Into ‘Trump Cartel’

Jeffries Addresses Private Meeting With Kushner, Saying Conversation Will Not Affect Democratic Investigations Into ‘Trump Cartel’

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