Hakeem Jeffries criticizes Trump's leadership for cost increases
- Hakeem Jeffries criticized the Trump administration for failing to deliver on promises to reduce living costs.
- During the February 16 episode of "This Week," he asserted that Trump's policies have harmed working Americans.
- Jeffries vowed to continue opposing what he described as a 'toxic bait-and-switch' by Republicans.
On February 16, 2025, during an appearance on ABC News' "This Week," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the leadership of former President Donald Trump. Jeffries articulated that the Trump administration had made promises to lower the cost of living for Americans, alleging that they have failed to keep those promises. He specifically noted that Republicans showed no real interest in addressing high living costs, which he claimed remain a significant burden for working Americans. The remarks were made in a context where public dissatisfaction with rising costs was prevalent, and Jeffries utilized the platform to voice discontent with what he termed a 'toxic bait-and-switch' from Republicans. He accused the Trump administration of focusing on providing tax cuts to wealthy corporations and billionaires instead of listening to the needs of everyday Americans. Jeffries emphasized that the interests of hardworking American taxpayers were being neglected in favor of a tax plan that disproportionately favored the rich. He stated that the policies pursued by Trump and the Republicans were fundamentally flawed and detrimental to the quality of life of ordinary citizens. This address marked a continuation of the Democratic narrative, aiming to position themselves as champions of the working class while critiquing the previous administration's performance. Jeffries vowed to continue opposing these policies and concentrate on advocating for lower costs for all citizens as part of his legislative agenda moving forward.