US House Democrat leader Jeffries will retain position despite opposition, sources say

The top Democrat in the House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, is all but certain to become the next Speaker of the House, despite dissatisfaction among some freshman lawmakers and their progressive colleagues in the chamber, sources have told Middle East Eye. There simply is no alternative leader in the running. "It's a cost to go against someone who will eventually be the leader of the caucus. There's not enough people who are willing to do that," one source said. This comes as many voters have expressed their desire to see Jeffries vacate the position, accusing him of being out of step with the party's growing leftist progressive wing, which wants to see money out of politics, and a stop to the transfer of weapons to Israel. Read more: US House Democrat leader Jeffries will retain position despite opposition, sources say The leader of the House Democrats, New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, right, speaks to reporters alongside the leader of the Senate Democrats, New York Senator Chuck Schumer, on the steps of the US Senate on 21 May 2026 in Washington, DC (Win McNamee/Getty Images via AFP)