As the Democratic minority leader in a Republican-controlled House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries' influence is typically limited. However, this week, he may become one of the most powerful figures in Congress.
This shift in power dynamics is due to the embattled speaker of the House, Republican Mike Johnson, who is expected to seek support from Jeffries' opposition Democrats. This move is aimed at thwarting an attempt by hardline members of Johnson's own party to remove him from his position, marking the second such attempt in just eight months.
A small group of hardline Republicans made history in October when they successfully ousted their speaker for the first time ever, leading to a prolonged leadership struggle that paralyzed the chamber. Now, firebrand Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is pushing for a similar move against Johnson.
"House Republicans are either unwilling or unable to rein in Marjorie Taylor Greene and other extreme MAGA Republicans, so it will require a bipartisan coalition and partnership," Jeffries, 53, told reporters last week. He confirmed that members of his own party would vote to support Johnson in an uncommon move to prevent a recurrence of last year's chaos.
Democrats are hopeful that they can eliminate the Republicans' narrow 217-212 majority in the November 5 elections. This would allow them to elect Jeffries as the first-ever Black speaker of the House, a position second only to the vice president in the presidential line of succession. Some are already referring to the New York lawmaker as a "shadow speaker."
Representative Ro Khanna praised Jeffries' leadership, saying, "Jeffries has done an excellent job of keeping us unified and building consensus. He governs with a light touch and seeks members' opinions."
Representative Pramila Jayapal, who heads the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called Jeffries "an incredible leader."
However, Jayapal expressed that she expects something in return if members of her party are going to support a political rival. "My concern is that this speaker is anti-choice, anti-democracy, anti-immigrant, and we will have to explain to our constituents why we supported the speaker," she said in an interview last week.
Johnson incurred the wrath of hardliners within his party by cooperating with Democrats to pass bills that averted a government shutdown and provided additional aid to Ukraine.
Despite this, Jayapal indicated that she would anticipate additional concessions if Democrats were to protect Johnson. These demands could include renewing the expiring "Affordable Connectivity Program," which helps low-income households afford broadband service.
The potential ousting of Johnson, and the ensuing chaos in the House, could pose a political risk for Republicans in an election year. This is one reason why their presidential candidate, Donald Trump, expressed concern about the move.
Even Trump's comments have not appeased hardline Republicans who are angry that Johnson, a fourth-term conservative from Louisiana, has not taken a more aggressive stance.
"There was nothing in his prior life, political or private, that qualified him for this job. He is a lost ball in tall weeds," said far-right Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who supports Greene's effort.
Jeffries, whose leadership bid was endorsed by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, faces less opposition from his own caucus. However, as minority leader, his role has been less challenging than Johnson's, as he has not had to set the House agenda or navigate the political pitfalls that come with it.
One Democratic aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "It's easy to look great when you're standing to the side of the three-ring circus."