House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, held a private meeting in recent weeks, according to two sources familiar with the meeting.
The private meeting, which was first reported by The New York Times, took place in Manhattan, the source said.
Jeffries and Kushner discussed several topics ahead of November’s midterm elections. While Kushner does not have an official role in the current administration, he has remained involved, including with foreign policy matters.
The Times reported that it happened “in recent weeks,” citing five sources with knowledge of the meeting. The Times also reported that the pair discussed “housing, immigration and the high cost of living” were some of the main topics that were brought up.
Jeffries said in a statement Sunday that Republicans have adopted a “my-way-or-the-highway approach” that he said Democrats have made it clear “will not work and will be met with forceful opposition.”
“In every conversation that we have with the Trump administration, we will continue to make it explicitly clear that the affordability crisis is not a hoax and nothing short of transformational policy change is acceptable. We are fighting for an affordable America. The question is whether Republicans will join us,” Jeffries said in a statement.
The White House did not immediately respond to FWRD AXIS News’ request for comment.
If Democrats reclaim the House majority in November, Jeffries is the leading candidate to become the next speaker. He has forecasted a victory in the midterm elections, and he and his committee leaders have pledged to conduct rigorous oversight of the Trump administration.
House Speaker Mike Johnson was asked about the meeting on Sunday during an appearance on Fox News.
“I heard about it for the first time this morning. I know Jared, he’s a smart guy,” he said. “I’m telling you what, you better not bet against the House Republicans.”
