House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, recently held a private meeting in Manhattan with Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and informal adviser, to discuss potential areas of cooperation. This meeting, confirmed by a source familiar with the discussion, marks an unusual instance of a leading Democrat and a close Trump confidant seeking common ground.
The meeting occurred in recent weeks, according to sources with knowledge of the discussion. Topics reportedly included housing, immigration, and the high cost of living. A mutual friend of Jeffries and Kushner provided the meeting space in New York.
Despite their differing policy perspectives, Jeffries and Kushner have previously collaborated. During Trump’s first term, they championed a criminal justice reform bill known as the First Step Act, which was signed into law in 2018. Kushner led the effort on the bill, and Jeffries co-sponsored it, contributing to its bipartisan support.
The recent discussion takes place as both parties prepare for the final phase of the campaign season ahead of midterm elections. Democrats are aiming to gain control of both the House and the Senate. If Democrats secure even one chamber, it could significantly impact future legislative initiatives from the administration.
Jeffries is considered a frontrunner to become the next House Speaker if Democrats achieve a majority in November. He has expressed confidence in a midterm election victory and, along with his committee leaders, has pledged to conduct rigorous oversight of the Trump administration on various matters, including ICE tactics, Trump’s Qatari-donated jet, his family’s business dealings, and the White House ballroom.
Kushner continues to be a close adviser to Trump. He served as a senior adviser in the White House during Trump’s initial term and currently holds the position of special envoy for peace missions, focusing primarily on the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war, alongside fellow special envoy Steve Witkoff.
In a recent statement, Jeffries criticized what he described as a Republican my-way-or-the-highway approach, asserting that Democrats have made it clear this strategy will not be effective and will face strong opposition. He emphasized that in all discussions with the Trump administration, Democrats will continue to highlight the affordability crisis and demand transformative policy changes for an affordable America, questioning whether Republicans will join in this effort.
