History of Hakeem Jeffries in Timeline

Hakeem Jeffries is an American politician and attorney serving as House Minority Leader since 2023. He represents New York's 8th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, a position he has held since 2013. Prior to his congressional service, Jeffries served three terms in the New York State Assembly from 2007 to 2012. His current role places him as a leading figure in the Democratic Party in the House.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

August 4, 1970: Hakeem Jeffries Born

On August 4, 1970, Hakeem Sekou Jeffries was born. He later became an American politician and attorney, serving as House minority leader and leader of the House Democratic Caucus since 2023.

Others born on this day/year

1997: Roger Green's run for New York City Public Advocate

In 1997, Roger Green ran for New York City Public Advocate, a move that Hakeem Jeffries criticized when he later challenged Green for his assembly seat.

2000: Challenged Roger Green in Democratic primary

In 2000, while a lawyer at Paul Weiss, Hakeem Jeffries challenged incumbent assemblyman Roger Green in the Democratic primary. He criticized Green and lost the primary.

2002: Redistricting complicates Jeffries's path

During post-census redistricting in 2002, Hakeem Jeffries's home was drawn one block outside of Roger Green's Assembly district. Jeffries lost the 2002 primary. He described the redistricting as "gangsta."

2004: Green's forced resignation and renomination

In 2004, Sheldon Silver and Democratic leadership forced Roger Green to resign after he pleaded guilty to billing the state for false travel expenses. Green was renominated unopposed, leaving Hakeem Jeffries unable to challenge him in the Democratic primary.

2006: Elected to the Assembly

In 2006, after Roger Green retired, Hakeem Jeffries ran for the 57th district again and won the Democratic primary, defeating Bill Batson and Freddie Hamilton with 64% of the vote. He then defeated Republican nominee Henry Weinstein in the general election.

2008: Reelected to the Assembly

In 2008, Hakeem Jeffries was reelected to the Assembly, defeating Republican nominee Charles Brickhouse with 98% of the vote.

2010: Reelected to third term

In 2010, Hakeem Jeffries was reelected to a third term in the Assembly, easily defeating Republican nominee Frank Voyticky.

January 2012: Announced run for U.S. House

In January 2012, Hakeem Jeffries announced that he would give up his Assembly seat to run for the U.S. House from New York's 8th congressional district.

June 11, 2012: Support from local leaders

On June 11, 2012, Hakeem Jeffries received support from former mayor Ed Koch, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Councilman David Greenfield, Assemblyman Dov Hikind and other elected officials and community leaders at a joint event.

2012: Photo with Obama and Clinton

In 2012, President Barack Obama and President Bill Clinton took a photograph with Hakeem Jeffries weeks before his Congressional primary against Charles Barron, which was effectively used in campaign literature.

January 3, 2013: Sworn into the 113th Congress

On January 3, 2013, Hakeem Jeffries was sworn into the 113th Congress. He has since been reelected six successive times.

November 2014: Elected as Congressional Black Caucus whip

In November 2014, Hakeem Jeffries was elected as the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) whip. In this role, he actively worked to maintain the CBC's role as "the conscience of the Congress".

December 2014: "Hands up, don't shoot" protest

In December 2014, Hakeem Jeffries led Congressional Black Caucus members in a "hands up, don't shoot" protest of killings of African-Americans by police.

December 2014: Visit to Eric Garner death site

In December 2014, Hakeem Jeffries visited the Staten Island site where Eric Garner was killed and encountered Garner's mother, Gwen Carr.

2014: Reelected to the House without opposition

In 2014, Hakeem Jeffries was reelected to the House without opposition.

April 2015: Introduction of the Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act

In April 2015, Hakeem Jeffries, alongside Gwen Carr, announced the introduction of the Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act of 2015, which would make chokeholds illegal under federal law.

June 2015: Effort to remove the Confederate flag

In June 2015, after the Charleston shootings, Hakeem Jeffries led the effort to remove the Confederate flag from sale or display on National Park Service land. He lamented that the "Ghosts of the Confederacy have invaded the GOP".

2016: Reelected to the House

In 2016, Hakeem Jeffries faced no primary challenger and defeated a Conservative Party challenger with 93% of the vote to be reelected.

2016: Trump's presidency termed "illegitimate"

In 2016, Hakeem Jeffries repeatedly called Donald Trump's presidency "illegitimate" due to the Russian interference in the 2016 United States presidential election.

2018: Reelected to the House

In 2018, Hakeem Jeffries faced no primary challenger and was reelected with 94% of the vote.

2019: Vote in favor of the Equality Act

In 2019, Hakeem Jeffries voted in favor of the Equality Act and urged Congress members to do the same, supporting the ban of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

2020: Reelected to the House

In 2020, Hakeem Jeffries faced no primary challenger and was reelected with 84% of the vote.

2020: Support for Israel

In 2020, Hakeem Jeffries told an American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference that "back home in New York City we consider Jerusalem to be the sixth borough", showing his staunch support for Israel.

2022: Reelected to the House

In 2022, Hakeem Jeffries faced no notable primary challenger and was reelected with 71.63% of the vote in the general election.

November 9, 2023: Rejection of ceasefire calls

On November 9, 2023, Hakeem Jeffries rejected calls for a ceasefire regarding the Gaza war.

November 14, 2023: Speech at the March for Israel

On November 14, 2023, Hakeem Jeffries spoke at the March for Israel, condemning antisemitism and calling for the safe return of all hostages taken captive by Hamas, and a "just and lasting peace".

2023: Vote against troop removal from Syria

In 2023, Hakeem Jeffries voted against H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.

January 7, 2024: Spending Deal Agreed

On January 7, 2024, Hakeem Jeffries and congressional leaders reached an agreement on a $1.59 trillion topline spending deal. The agreed spending levels for 2024 were similar to the deal previously negotiated between McCarthy and President Biden.

February 2024: Political test after George Santos expulsion

In February 2024, Hakeem Jeffries faced his first major political test as leader after George Santos was expelled from Congress. He endorsed Tom Suozzi for the special election, deployed his political team, key allies, and helped raise $1 million for the special election, holding fundraisers in New York and Washington.

April 2024: Vote for military aid package

In April 2024, Hakeem Jeffries voted for military aid package supplementals for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

May 8, 2024: Motion to Vacate Speakership Introduced

On May 8, 2024, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced a motion to vacate Mike Johnson's speakership. Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic leaders indicated that Democrats would vote to table Greene's motion, citing Johnson's role in passing funding for the federal government and supporting Ukraine. The House voted to table the motion, allowing Johnson to remain speaker.

June 2024: Congestion pricing halt

In June 2024, Politico reported that New York governor Kathy Hochul indefinitely halted the implementation of congestion pricing in New York City, after concerns raised by Jeffries.

July 31, 2024: Jeffries Announced Illustrated Book

On July 31, 2024, Hakeem Jeffries announced that he had penned an illustrated book, "The ABCs of Democracy", scheduled for publication on November 12, 2024.

August 2024: Congestion pricing pause

In August 2024, Hakeem Jeffries reiterated that the ongoing pause of congestion pricing in New York City was "a reasonable thing to do at this moment."

October 2024: DCCC Fundraising Records Set

As of October 2024, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) under Hakeem Jeffries's control consistently set fundraising records in the 2024 election, raising $280.9 million for the cycle.

November 12, 2024: Publication of "The ABCs of Democracy"

On November 12, 2024, Hakeem Jeffries' book, "The ABCs of Democracy", is scheduled to be published.

2024: Democratic National Convention speech

In 2024, Hakeem Jeffries delivered a prime-time speech at the Democratic National Convention, inspired by Psalm 30:5. He endorsed Kamala Harris for president and likened Donald Trump to "an old boyfriend."

2024: Reelected to the House

In 2024, Hakeem Jeffries faced no primary challenger and was reelected with 75% of the vote.

2024: Most Powerful Person in Congress

In 2024, after votes to avert a federal government shutdown and send foreign assistance abroad, the Associated Press stated that Hakeem Jeffries, as the minority leader, "might very well be the most powerful person in Congress right now".