House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Sunday that he does not back the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America, even as candidates aligned with the group look to join the House Democratic Caucus in the next Congress.
During an appearance on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” anchor Kristen Welker asked the New York Democrat whether democratic socialists belong in the Democratic Party, pointing to the DSA’s national convention held in Chicago from July 31 to Aug. 2, 2026.
“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,” Jeffries said. “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 Welker pressed him on whether the party has room for democratic socialists, Jeffries stated he does not endorse the organization’s official platform while acknowledging that winning primary candidates will join the caucus if they prevail in November.
“Well, listen, 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 in November, will be part of the House Democratic Caucus,” Jeffries said. “It’s going to be a broad caucus. There will be progressives. There will be New Dems. There will be Blue Dogs.”
Jeffries added that his primary focus remains on winning a majority in the upcoming election.
“What I’m excited about are the candidates who are running to flip seats in November, to deliver us a majority that pushes back against Donald Trump’s extremism and moves the country in the right direction,” he said, pointing to plans aimed at lowering everyday costs and “holding the crooks accountable beginning on day one in January of next year.”
The interview comes amid ongoing debate over the ideological direction of the party. According to a CBS News poll published Sunday, 58% of Democrats view socialism positively, a figure that rises to 71% among college-educated Democrats. In that same survey, 8% of Democrats reported feeling the party was more progressive than they preferred.
Of the 171 political races the DSA has tracked this cycle, 62 of its endorsed candidates have won, 54 have lost, and 55 remain active in ongoing campaigns.
Neither Jeffries’ office nor the DSA immediately responded to requests for comment.
READ: Attorney General Todd Blanche Rejects Independence Pledge On ‘Meet The Press’
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