Jeffries–Kushner meeting draws backlash from fellow Democrats

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has held a meeting with Jared Kushner, the influential son-in-law of President Donald Trump, drawing sharp criticism from members of his own party and other Trump critics.

The reported meeting comes months before the November midterm elections, in which Democrats are favored to retake control of the House — a shift that would make Jeffries speaker. If Democrats win the majority, they are expected to use oversight powers to investigate the Trump administration, including allegations of self-enrichment involving the president and his family.

Long-standing conflict-of-interest concerns surround Kushner, who has continued earning money from foreign governments while involved in foreign policy matters, including issues related to Ukraine, Iran and Gaza.

Asked about the meeting, Jeffries said Republicans have taken an inflexible approach to governing that has failed Americans, and stressed that Democrats will keep insisting that the affordability crisis is real and requires major policy change.

Several Democratic-aligned commentators criticized the meeting. Tommy Vietor, a former aide to Barack Obama and co-host of the podcast Pod Save America, argued that Kushner holds no official government position and instead profits from connections with Gulf autocrats, saying any engagement with him should come in the form of document requests and subpoenas.

Senator Chris Van Hollen, appearing on Meet the Press, said he supports people's right to meet with anyone but noted that a meeting alone does not guarantee meaningful outcomes. Former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger, who served on the House committee investigating the Capitol attack, publicly questioned the meeting.

Elsewhere in US politics, South Carolina Republicans are preparing for a primary runoff between Senator Darline Graham and Congressman Ralph Norman, while in Alaska's Senate race, multiple candidates sharing the name Dan Sullivan have created confusion, with President Trump urging voters to back the incumbent.