The New Yorker staff writer Jason Zengerle joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss his Profile of Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority Leader. They talk about how Jeffries has balanced resisting Donald Trump’s agenda with holding together an increasingly fractious Democratic caucus, and whether Jeffries’ measured persona and “light touch” as a leader are an asset or a weakness in the current climate. They also consider the Democrats’ chances of reclaiming the House in the 2026 midterms—and what Jeffries could realistically accomplish if he becomes Speaker.

This week’s reading:

“Can Hakeem Jeffries Lead a Democratic Takeover of the House?,” by Jason Zengerle
“Can the Democrats Take Back the Senate?,” by Amy Davidson Sorkin
“The Gaza Peace Plan Has Gone Nowhere,” by Isaac Chotiner
“What Thomas Massie’s Race Says About Trump’s Influence,” by Jon Allsop
“Benjamin Netanyahu’s War at Home,” by Bernard Avishai

See the Washington Roundtable live at 92NY on June 4th.

The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week.

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What Is Hakeem Jeffries’s Plan for the Midterms, and After?

The Political Scene | The New Yorker