House Leadership: Hakeem Jeffries set to become first Black speaker
The Brooklyn native will take the top House post on January 3, placing him second in the presidential line of succession after the vice president.
By Emmanuel Faure ·
Hakeem Jeffries of New York is on track to become the first Black speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. He will assume the role when the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3, 2027. The position makes him the second person in the presidential line of succession, following the vice president.
Jeffries, a Democrat, has served in the House for nearly 14 years. He represented parts of Brooklyn since 2013. Before that, he spent six years in the New York State Assembly. During his tenure, he moved from a rank-and-file member focused on criminal justice to a top party leader under former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He was elected House minority leader in 2022.
His path to the speakership follows a decisive midterm victory for House Democrats. Jeffries said the election was a mandate for change. "Things are broken. We need a Congress that puts the American people first," he said on Tuesday night. He acknowledged the challenge of securing buy-in from a diverse caucus as the party works to deliver on promises to voters.
Jeffries has a history of bipartisan collaboration on criminal justice. As a member of Congress during the first Trump administration, he led the effort to pass the First Step Act. The bill reduced sentences for some drug crimes. He worked closely with Jared Kushner, the late president's son-in-law, on the legislation. Jeffries described the partnership as one that produced real results, though the private meetings with Kushner drew criticism from some in his party earlier this year.
Political positioning has also been a factor. Jeffries was once a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and sponsored Medicare for All proposals. He has said he does not intend to bend to hard-left democratic socialism. He views systemic racism as a primary driver of inequity, distinguishing his perspective from class-based progressive views. He also served as an impeachment manager during the Senate trial regarding Trump's Ukraine pressure campaign.
The new Congress faces immediate questions on cost of living and legislative strategy. Jeffries has stated that lowering costs for Americans is the primary focus. He has not committed to a new impeachment process for Trump's second term, saying Democrats have ruled nothing in or out. The House will hold a formal floor vote for the speaker on Jan. 3.
