Jeffries Formally Announces Speaker Bid, Says Retaliation and Impeaching Trump Are Not Priorities

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries formally announced his candidacy for Speaker of the House on Wednesday, November 4, in a "Dear Colleague" letter to fellow Democrats. The full House will elect its speaker when the new Congress convenes on January 3; if elected, Jeffries would become the 57th Speaker and the first Black Speaker in American history.

Appearing on television the same day, Jeffries said Democrats will not make retaliation against President Donald Trump, or impeaching him, a priority, and that the new majority will focus on the cost of living, including health care and food costs. US media reported that the House Democratic agenda for the new session includes a 100-day push to eliminate tariffs and restore funding for health-care subsidies and food assistance.

The rest of the leadership slate is also taking shape: Katherine Clark is seeking the whip's post and Pete Aguilar the caucus chairmanship, the party's No. 2 and No. 3 positions in the House.

Related: Jeffries' victory speech: poised to become the first Black Speaker

Source: Office of the House Democratic Leader

Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)

Photo: 图：杰弗里斯在众议院发表讲话（资料图）。美国政府作品，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Jeffries speaking in the House of Representatives (file photo). U.S. government work, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Latest in Federal

DeSantis: With Democrats Holding the Senate, Trump's Chance of Confirming a Supreme Court Successor Is Zero2026-11-04Schumer: Democrats Will End the Iran War and Use the Purse and Investigations to Check Trump2026-11-04