US midterm elections: Trump's advisor Jared Kushner meets Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries in private

Democrat House leader Hakeem Jeffries and President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, met privately in New York, signaling potential cooperation between the White House and Democrats if Democrats gain control in the midterm elections, the Associated Press reported. This private discussion took place less than three months before the November elections, with Democrats aiming to capture the House majority.

House Speaker candidate Jeffries, who could take over if Democrats win, discussed a range of issues including housing, immigration, and high living costs with Kushner. The meeting, first reported by The New York Times, follows a period of Republican criticism of Democrats as the party of "dangerous extremes." Kushner suggested a follow-up meeting with White House Chief of Staff Susan Rice.

Jeffries, however, urged Republicans to abandon their "my-way-or-the-highway" approach and stressed that an extremist stance will be met with opposition. The report did not mention the private conversation but quoted Jeffries as saying an extremist approach "has failed the American people." Jeffries and Kushner collaborated on criminal justice reform legislation during the Trump administration.

The meeting highlights the Republican Party's concerns about losing their congressional majority, particularly the House, and the need to engage with the opposing party as the White House seeks to mitigate any potential political fallout. If Democrats retake power, the White House faces an aggressive oversight agenda and the possibility of impeachment.

The White House did not respond to the Associated Press's requests for comment, and Kushner's representative also declined to comment.