Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral nominee in New York City, on Monday claimed that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., was trying to “distract” Americans from the “lack of results” of the GOP by attacking House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for backing the democratic socialist’s platform.
During his daily press conference on the 27th day of the government shutdown, Johnson criticized Jeffries for endorsing Mamdani’s mayoral bid on Friday, labeling it the “clearest sign yet that this radical insurgent movement in the Democrat Party is succeeding.”
“Speaker Johnson should be sitting members of Congress, instead of using his time to attack our campaign,” Mamdani responded from Manhattan on Monday. “If I was a leader of the Republican Party who had promised Americans a lower cost of living and cheaper groceries, but only delivered a government shutdown, I, too, would be looking to distract from those lack of results.”
Jeffries, representing Brooklyn in the U.S. House, had withheld his endorsement for months but on Friday voiced his support for the Democratic mayoral nominee, praising Mamdani’s focus on “addressing the affordability crisis” and representing all New Yorkers.
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“I endorse the Democratic ticket,” Jeffries stated.
Johnson told reporters on Monday that Jeffries’ endorsement signifies the end of “what has always been known as the Democrat Party in America.”
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“After a months-long pressure campaign from the far left, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries finally relented. He gave in, and he gave his endorsement to the socialist running to be mayor of New York City. The House Democrats, they’ve shown the world what they really believe. There is no longer a place for centrists and moderates in their party,” Johnson added.
“He is a Marxist,” Johnson claimed, criticizing his record.
“Zohran Mamdani is expected to take the helm of one of the most important cities in the world and the largest city in America, and he now has the full blessing of the Democrat leader in the House of Representatives. It is shocking, and that leader and all the other Democrats are going to co-own the consequences of what they do to America’s largest city.”
Johnson urged reporters to ask House Democrats if they agree with Jeffries’ endorsement of the “Marxist agenda.”
“What we’re witnessing is truly the end of the Democratic Party, as we’ve known it,” Johnson warned.
Johnson also accused Democrats of bending the knee to the “Marxists in their party.”
“Just like they decided to save their own skin that they had to endorse the Marxist Mamdani in an unprecedented move, they have also decided they had to shut down the government in an unprecedented move, no matter the pain it inflicts upon hard-working American people,” Johnson added.
Democrats have stated they will not accept any federal funding bill without an extension of Obamacare subsidies that were enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic but are set to expire at the end of this year.
The GOP’s plan, a short-term extension of FY2025 federal funding called a continuing resolution (CR), passed the House on Sept. 19 but has since stalled in the Senate.
The GOP has blamed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for shutting down the government to appease the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, as Mamdani leads in New York City’s mayoral race and there is speculation about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s political ambition.
Republicans have accused Democrats of holding Americans and the government hostage over partisan demands, while Democrats warned that the GOP would be responsible for hiking healthcare costs for millions of Americans if the enhanced COVID-era subsidies expire.
While Jeffries endorsed Mamdani on Friday, Schumer has yet to endorse the democratic socialist candidate.
As Axios reported last month that Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is preparing to run for Schumer’s Senate seat or for president in 2028, Republicans have accused Schumer of maintaining a red line on continuing resolution (CR) negotiations to appease his party’s progressive wing.
Fox News Digital contacted Jeffries and Johnson for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
