House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declared that Republicans have nothing to run on in the midterms after President Trump’s failures on economic promises and foreign policy. Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Jeffries highlighted how Trump broke pledges to lower costs and avoid new wars, leaving the GOP vulnerable ahead of November.
The Core Argument: GOP Has No Record to Defend
Jeffries pointed to Trump’s 2024 campaign promises to reduce inflation and avoid “endless wars.” Instead, the U.S. and Israeli militaries entered conflict with Iran in February 2025, leading to 18 American deaths and hundreds wounded. Gas and grocery prices soared, with 95% of Americans now citing an affordability crisis.
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Republican Distraction Tactics
Rather than address these failures, Trump and Republicans seized on a voter registration error in New Jersey involving 6,600 noncitizens, though fewer than 400 voted. Jeffries called this a “diversion” from the real issues affecting working families.
Comparison: Promises vs. Reality Under Trump
| Promise | Reality |
|---|---|
| Lower costs for families | Soaring gas and grocery prices; 95% feel affordability crisis |
| No new Middle East wars | War with Iran since February 2025; 18 U.S. service members killed |
| Secure elections | False claims of widespread noncitizen voting used to distract |
Key Takeaways for Voters
- Republicans lack a positive agenda—they rely on fear and false claims about voter fraud.
- The affordability crisis directly contradicts Trump’s 2024 campaign promises.
- Democrats aim to retake the House and Senate by focusing on economic and foreign policy failures.
- Jeffries urges voters to examine the GOP record rather than rhetoric.
White House Response
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the affordability crisis but blamed Democrats and Joe Biden. She argued that only a Republican Congress in 2026 could fix the economy—a claim Jeffries called hypocritical given the current situation.
FAQ
What did Hakeem Jeffries say about the midterms?
Jeffries said Republicans have nothing to run on because Trump broke promises on costs and avoiding war, leaving the GOP vulnerable.
How did Trump respond to the voter registration error?
Trump and his allies used the error to boost false claims about noncitizen voting, despite only a tiny fraction voting before the error was corrected.
What is the affordability crisis in the US?
95% of Americans believe the US is in an affordability crisis due to rising gas and grocery prices, partly from the Iran conflict.
The November midterms will test whether Republican strategies of distraction can overcome the weight of broken promises. Jeffries urges voters to hold the GOP accountable for its record.