Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, speaks at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., in February. [Getty Images]
Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, speaks at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., in February. [Getty Images]

Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, held a private meeting with Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic House floor leader, according to sources.

The New York Times reported Sunday, citing multiple sources, that the meeting between Kushner and Jeffries took place at a private venue in New York City within the past few weeks. New York City is home to Jeffries' congressional district.

The newspaper noted that the meeting itself carries significance — Kushner, widely regarded as one of Trump's closest confidants, sat down with Jeffries, who has led attacks on the Trump administration. Current polling trends suggest Democrats could reclaim a House majority in the November midterm elections, in which case Jeffries would be in line to become Speaker.

The Speaker of the House is second in the presidential line of succession after the vice president. The position carries the power to block budget bills and legislation and to use Congress's investigative and oversight authority to check the administration. The House also holds the power to bring impeachment motions against the president and cabinet members.

Jeffries signaled in an interview with The New York Times last month that he had not ruled out pursuing a third impeachment of Trump if Democrats win the majority. "We haven't predetermined or excluded anything when it comes to accountability," he said. He also said, "We will continue to make sure that the toxic members of the Trump administration are removed," adding, "In my view, Pete Hegseth" — the Defense secretary — "is next."

It is not known whether the two sides discussed such politically sensitive matters during the meeting. However, sources said the encounter offered a glimpse of people in Trump's inner circle preparing for a scenario in which Democrats take control of the House.

Trump has mocked Jeffries — who is Black — by posting a doctored image of him with a mustache and a sombrero, a traditional Mexican hat, and has attacked him in crude terms. Yet in recent media interviews, Trump has described Jeffries as "a good guy."

During the meeting, the two sides discussed housing, immigration and the cost of living, and Kushner reportedly suggested that Jeffries meet with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

Kushner and Jeffries first built a relationship during the first Trump administration, when Kushner worked at the White House and Jeffries served on the House Legislation and Judiciary Committee — the two collaborated on a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill. They have remained in contact since.

Responding to news of the Kushner-Jeffries meeting, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana pushed back in a Fox News interview that day, saying it would be unwise to "bet against House Republicans." Johnson suggested Trump "may be using Kushner to talk to people who are really difficult to deal with, like the Supreme Leader of Iran or the House minority leader."

Johnson cited an analysis by the Cook Political Report showing Republicans are projected to hold 211 seats and Democrats 205 of the House's 435 seats, saying "the elections for those 19 remaining seats will decide it." He then touted the quality of Republican candidates and their fundraising, vowing, "We will defy history and hold our majority."

Johnson also pointed to internal Democratic divisions stemming from the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America, a far-left faction, and addressed the war with Iran, saying, "It would help if that issue is resolved within 73 days" — before the midterms. "But even if it isn't, we will win," he added.


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