Hakeem Jeffries criticized Mamdani’s ‘open arms’ reception after Dem primary sweep

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries publicly welcomed a new crop of convention nominees Saturday, including three Democratic Socialists of America candidates whose victories sparked renewed debate about the Democratic Party’s leftward shift ahead of the 2026 midterms.

The powerful New York lawmaker’s position highlights the challenge facing the top House Democrat as he works to unify his party ahead of the general election.

If Democrats take back the House in November, Jeffries is expected to be the next speaker.

That means he will be leading a Democratic Alliance caucus with more self-described Democratic Socialists than ever before.

So far, more than a dozen candidates supported by the Democratic Socialists of America have won or advanced to primaries across the country this election cycle.

In a post on X, Jeffries wrote, “Congratulations to our Democratic nominees,” before listing the party’s candidates from across New York. Among those honored were Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, all of whom are members or supporters of the Democratic Socialists of America and who scored victories in the closely watched Democratic Alliance primaries last week.

“From public servants to union organizers to community activists, the path is different but the work is the same,” Jeffries wrote. “We must tackle the problem of unaffordability and end right-wing extremism!”

Lander, Chevalier and Valdez all received the support of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose endorsement cemented the growing influence of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party in New York politics. Lander and Chevalier defeated incumbents endorsed by Jeffries. Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat in their Democratic primaries. Jeffries did not raise the race won by Claire Valdez, who was an open seat.

Now, as Democrats look to the general election, he appears to be supporting the party’s nominees as they try to take back the House in November.

Socialist candidates have also faced scrutiny and the resurgence of social media posts, support for demobilization and anti-Israel rhetoric, positions that have put them at odds with many in the Democratic Party.

Chevalier has faced widespread scrutiny for posts that have resurfaced on social media, including one he called “literally ending the border.”

He also faced renewed scrutiny for social media posts aimed at former Democrats, including calling former President Joe Biden a “war criminal,” attacking former Vice President Kamala Harris and rebuking Seni. Bernie Sanders on Israel.

Like Chevalier, Valdez and Lander, who is Jewish, feel that Israel is committing “genocide” in Gaza.

Jeffries’ decision to publicly congratulate the three nominees quickly drew criticism.

The Republican Jewish Coalition slammed Jeffries’ congratulatory message, warning Jewish voters that the candidate is not a “Democrat” but the new face of the party.

“To the Jewish Democrats: your party tells you EXACTLY who they are,” the Coalition wrote. “These incoming members of Congress, @hakeemjeffries welcome you with open arms, want: End prisons and restrictions. Defund the police. Get over 9/11,” addressing some serious arguments from the candidates.

Jamie Metzl, a former National Security Council and State Department official and lifelong Democratic leader, criticized Jeffries for congratulating the nominees.

“When I first read this post, I thought it was from a spoof account. I’m very concerned that it seems like it’s all real,” Metzl wrote. “To accept these nominees without acknowledging and condemning their sympathies for US-designated terrorist organizations, their calls to abolish the police, their stated desire to dismantle Western civilization, and their blatant anti-Americanism is to sacrifice the core values ​​of the Democratic Party.”

Metzl accused Jeffries of putting his bid to become Speaker of the House ahead of the Democratic Party’s goals.

“I understand your desire to become Speaker if the Democrats take over the House, but you should not sacrifice our party’s goals to advance your political ambitions,” Metzl wrote.

The Democratic leadership has been in the hot seat this week facing questions from the media about how to reconcile support for a New York strike by socialist candidates, especially after Valdez supporters were seen shouting “he’s next” on a televised telecast of Jeffries on Tuesday night.

“They’re going to eat the next Congress — and replace it with their own,” conservative analyst Meghan McCain told X.

“This is ridiculous,” conservative commentator Robby Starbuck wrote on X. “Hakeem still doesn’t understand that the communists are going to eat him alive. He’s clearly not a student of history. Bless his heart.”

In an appearance on CNN on Friday, Jeffries said, “I think what happened in a couple of primaries in one of the greenest cities in the country is in no way indicative of what needs to happen in November, when we need to re-elect all the top members, the reasonable Democrats, who are truly committed to making life better for the American people, against these difficult times for the Republicans who are against Donald Trump.”

“And at the same time, make sure we turn the red seats into blue, including New York-17, where we have a veteran, an incredibly passionate American Cait Conley, who came out of primary school on Tuesday and is an incredibly strong player. She will defeat Mike Lawler in New York in November.”