The man who will likely be the next House speaker, explained

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is on track to become the next House speaker when the new Congress convenes in January. If elected, he will be the first Black person to hold this distinguished position. Born in New York, Jeffries has been a member of Congress for nearly 14 years, spending a significant portion of that time in Democratic leadership roles. Although he has been a prominent figure in Congress, Hakeem Jeffries remains somewhat of an enigma, as highlighted in a profile by The New Yorker's Jason Zengerle.

In the profile, Jeffries recounts a story from when he was raising funds in Florida for the Democratic Party. While being driven to a donor's home, he received an alert on his phone about Donald Trump's post on Truth Social, which included a series of election conspiracies and an image of Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes.

Enraged by this display, Jeffries initially planned to respond on Instagram, ultimately uttering the phrase "Fuck Donald Trump." However, he decided to edit the video, bleeping out the profanity before sharing it with his team. The post was met with widespread social media approval, showcasing Jeffries' ability to connect with the public through unconventional means.

Despite his calm and deliberate demeanor, Jeffries has expressed frustration with the fact that he has not heard from his mother since the incident. This anecdote highlights his humility and the personal struggles that often accompany his public persona. As the most powerful Democrat in the House, Jeffries embodies a unique approach to politics.

Rather than aligning himself with any particular ideological stance, he deliberately avoids being pigeonholed within the political spectrum. While he criticizes the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) for their perceived displacement of older, working-class Black communities, he remains steadfast in his ability to navigate the complex political landscape.

His management of the Democratic caucus during the 2018 shutdown serves as a testament to his leadership capabilities. As the minority leader, Jeffries was instrumental in maintaining the party's power and influence, even in the face of Republican obstruction. In doing so, he demonstrated a knack for adapting to the evolving rules of political discourse, often employing unconventional strategies to achieve his goals.

With his rise to the speakership seemingly assured, Hakeem Jeffries is poised to make an indelible mark on American political history as the first Black House speaker.