History of Hakeem Jeffries in Timeline
Hakeem Sekou Jeffries is a prominent American politician and attorney serving as the House Minority Leader and Leader of the House Democratic Caucus since 2023. He has represented New York's 8th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013. Prior to his congressional career, Jeffries served in the New York State Assembly from 2007 to 2012.
1965: Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark piece of legislation, was passed, which Hakeem Jeffries later referenced during his time as the Congressional Black Caucus whip.
August 4, 1970: Birth of Hakeem Sekou Jeffries
Hakeem Sekou Jeffries was born on August 4, 1970. This event marks the beginning of his life and journey.
1988: Hakeem Jeffries Graduates from Midwood High School
Hakeem Jeffries graduated from Midwood High School, a public school, in 1988, marking the completion of his high school education.
1992: Hakeem Jeffries Earns Bachelor's Degree from Binghamton University
In 1992, Hakeem Jeffries earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in political science from Binghamton University, completing his undergraduate studies.
1994: Hakeem Jeffries Receives Master's Degree from Georgetown University
Hakeem Jeffries obtained a Master of Public Policy degree from Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy in 1994, furthering his education in public policy.
1997: Hakeem Jeffries Graduates Magna Cum Laude from NYU School of Law
Hakeem Jeffries graduated magna cum laude with a Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law in 1997, culminating his legal studies.
1997: Roger Green Runs for New York City Public Advocate
Roger Green pursued the position of New York City Public Advocate in 1997, later becoming a point of contention when Hakeem Jeffries challenged him in the 2000 election.
1998: Hakeem Jeffries Begins Private Practice at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
Hakeem Jeffries embarked on his legal career in private practice at the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison in 1998.
2000: Challenges Incumbent Assemblyman Roger Green
Hakeem Jeffries challenged incumbent Assemblyman Roger Green in the Democratic primary in 2000, criticizing Green's lack of attention to his constituents and focus on higher office.
2002: Loses Primary Election Due to Redistricting
Redistricting after the census placed Hakeem Jeffries's residence outside of Roger Green's Assembly district in 2002. Although he was still eligible to run, the change hindered his campaign and led to his defeat in the primary.
2002: Redistricting Impacts Jeffries's Political Career
The redistricting in 2002 had significant consequences for Hakeem Jeffries's political ambitions, as it prevented him from challenging Roger Green in the subsequent election.
2004: Hakeem Jeffries Transitions to Corporate Litigation
In 2004, Hakeem Jeffries transitioned to a role as a corporate litigator for Viacom and CBS, marking a shift in his legal career.
2004: Green Resigns and is Renominated Unopposed
Sheldon Silver and the Democratic leadership pressured Roger Green to resign after pleading guilty to misusing state funds. However, Green was later renominated unopposed in 2004.
2004: Unable to Challenge Green Due to Redistricting
The 2002 redistricting prevented Hakeem Jeffries from challenging Roger Green in the 2004 Democratic primary.
2006: Wins Democratic Primary for 57th District
Hakeem Jeffries secured victory in the Democratic primary for the 57th district in 2006, triumphing over Bill Batson and Freddie Hamilton, and went on to win the general election.
2007: Hakeem Jeffries Elected to New York State Assembly
Hakeem Jeffries was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2007, embarking on his career as a state legislator.
2007: Hakeem Jeffries Endorses Barack Obama for President
In 2007, while serving his first term in the State Assembly, Hakeem Jeffries made an early endorsement of Barack Obama for President, even though it was Hillary Clinton's home state. He drew inspiration from Obama, believing that if someone named 'Barack Obama' could be elected to the U.S. Senate, then he, too, could overcome challenges and win elections.
2008: Re-elected to Assembly
Hakeem Jeffries was re-elected to the Assembly in 2008, defeating Republican candidate Charles Brickhouse.
2010: Re-elected to a Third Term
Hakeem Jeffries secured a third term in the Assembly in 2010, winning against Republican nominee Frank Voyticky.
2010: Governor Paterson Signs Stop-and-Frisk Database Bill
In 2010, then-Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries and then-Senator Eric Adams demonstrated leadership in criminal justice reform when Governor David Paterson signed their Stop-and-Frisk database bill into law. This bill aimed to curb potentially discriminatory practices by prohibiting police from recording the names and addresses of individuals stopped but not arrested during street searches.
January 2012: Announces Candidacy for U.S. House
Hakeem Jeffries announced his decision to run for the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New York's 8th congressional district, in January 2012.
June 11, 2012: Receives Support from Local Leaders
On June 11, 2012, Hakeem Jeffries's congressional campaign received a boost of support from prominent figures like former Mayor Ed Koch and Congressman Jerrold Nadler.
2012: Photographed with Obama and Clinton
A photo of Hakeem Jeffries with former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, taken a few weeks before his 2012 Congressional primary against Charles Barron, became a valuable asset for his campaign.
2012: Hakeem Jeffries Concludes Service in New York State Assembly
In 2012, Hakeem Jeffries concluded his service in the New York State Assembly, marking the end of his tenure in this position.
January 3, 2013: Sworn into the 113th Congress
Hakeem Jeffries was officially sworn into the 113th Congress on January 3, 2013, marking the beginning of his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives.
April 11, 2013: Hakeem Jeffries Introduces Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument Preservation Act
On April 11, 2013, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries showed his commitment to preserving American history by introducing the Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument Preservation Act (H.R. 1501; 113th Congress). The bill aimed to initiate a study by the Secretary of the Interior to assess the suitability and feasibility of incorporating the Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument in Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn as a unit of the National Park System (NPS). Jeffries believed that the monument, being one of America's most significant Revolutionary War burial sites, deserved recognition for its historical significance in honoring the patriots who sacrificed their lives during the fight for American independence.
2013: Hakeem Jeffries Begins Tenure as U.S. Representative
Hakeem Jeffries commenced his service as the U.S. representative for New York's 8th congressional district in 2013, marking the start of his tenure in this role.
April 28, 2014: House Passes the Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument Preservation Act
On April 28, 2014, the House of Representatives successfully passed the Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument Preservation Act, signifying progress in the legislative process to potentially grant the monument national recognition.
July 15, 2014: Hakeem Jeffries Introduces Bill to Establish Law School Clinic Certification Program
On July 15, 2014, drawing upon his background in addressing intellectual property issues during his time in private practice, Representative Hakeem Jeffries introduced a bill (H.R. 5108; 113th Congress) aimed at establishing the Law School Clinic Certification Program within the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The program was designed to provide accredited law schools with opportunities for a ten-year period following the Act's enactment.
November 2014: Elected Congressional Black Caucus Whip
In November 2014, Hakeem Jeffries was elected as the whip for the Congressional Black Caucus.
December 2014: Meets with Gwen Carr
While visiting the site of Eric Garner's death, Hakeem Jeffries met with Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, during a CNN interview in December 2014.
December 2014: Leads "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" Protest
Hakeem Jeffries led fellow Congressional Black Caucus members in a "hands up, don't shoot" protest in December 2014, addressing the killings of African Americans by police.
December 20, 2014: NYPD Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos Killed
On December 20, 2014, a tragic incident occurred in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Jeffries's district, where NYPD Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were fatally shot while on duty in their patrol car.
2014: Re-elected to the House Unopposed
Hakeem Jeffries secured re-election to the House of Representatives in 2014, facing no opposition.
December 31, 2014: Original Tax Deadline for Donations to Support Families of Deceased Officers
December 31, 2014, marked the initial tax deadline for individuals to make contributions and be eligible for tax deductions related to their 2015 tax filings if they chose to donate to organizations supporting the families of deceased NYPD Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos.
April 1, 2015: President Obama Signs Slain Officer Family Support Act
On April 1, 2015, President Barack Obama signed The Slain Officer Family Support Act into law, demonstrating support for the families of the deceased officers.
April 2015: Introduces 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, aiming to make chokeholds illegal under federal law.
April 15, 2015: Extended Tax Deadline for Donations to Support Families of Deceased Officers
Thanks to the passage of The Slain Officer Family Support Act, the tax deadline for making contributions to organizations aiding the families of slain NYPD Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos was extended to April 15, 2015.
June 2015: Leads Effort to Remove Confederate Flag
Following the Charleston shootings in June 2015, Hakeem Jeffries spearheaded the movement to remove the Confederate flag from sale and display on National Park Service grounds.
2015: African-American Pastors Encourage Jeffries to Run for Mayor
In 2015, influential African-American pastors approached Jeffries, urging him to consider entering the 2017 Democratic primary for mayor against the incumbent, Bill de Blasio.
2016: Re-elected to the House
Hakeem Jeffries won the House of Representatives election in 2016 against a Conservative Party candidate.
2016: Calls Trump's Presidency "Illegitimate"
Due to the Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election, Hakeem Jeffries deemed Donald Trump's presidency "illegitimate", a stance he maintained throughout Trump's term.
2017: Potential Mayoral Election Jeffries Declined to Enter
The year 2017 marked the time when the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City took place, an election that prominent African-American pastors had encouraged Jeffries to participate in.
May 22, 2018: House Passes Bipartisan First Step Act
On May 22, 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the First Step Act with a vote of 358–36. Hakeem Jeffries was a key sponsor of the bill, which aimed to reform the criminal justice system, demonstrating his commitment to bipartisanship and criminal justice reform.
November 28, 2018: Hakeem Jeffries Elected Chair of House Democratic Caucus
On November 28, 2018, Hakeem Jeffries achieved a significant victory by defeating California Congresswoman Barbara Lee in the election for Chair of the House Democratic Caucus.
December 21, 2018: President Trump Signs First Step Act into Law
The First Step Act, which had garnered bipartisan support, was signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 21, 2018. This legislation brought about significant changes to the criminal justice system, including reducing mandatory minimum sentences for federal crimes, expanding early release programs, and putting an end to certain harsh practices like the shackling of female inmates during childbirth.
2018: Re-elected to the House
Hakeem Jeffries won re-election to the House of Representatives in 2018 with no primary challenger.
2018: Music Modernization Act Becomes Law
The Music Modernization Act, which aimed to update copyright law for music and digital streaming, was successfully passed by the House, with Hakeem Jeffries playing a crucial role in its passage. The Act was signed into law in 2018.
January 3, 2019: Hakeem Jeffries Begins Term as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus
Hakeem Jeffries formally began his term as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus on January 3, 2019, coinciding with the swearing-in of the new Congress.
2019: Hakeem Jeffries Elected House Democratic Caucus Chair
Hakeem Jeffries assumed the role of House Democratic Caucus Chair in 2019, marking a significant step in his political career.
2019: Votes in Favor of the Equality Act
Hakeem Jeffries showed his support for banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity by voting for the Equality Act in 2019 and advocating for its passage among his colleagues.
January 15, 2020: Hakeem Jeffries Selected as House Manager for Trump Impeachment Trial
On January 15, 2020, Hakeem Jeffries was chosen as one of the seven House managers tasked with presenting the impeachment case against President Donald Trump during his first impeachment trial in the United States Senate. This selection highlighted his legal acumen and his prominent role in the House of Representatives.
January 22, 2020: Jeffries Responds to Protester During Impeachment Trial Testimony with Scripture
During his testimony in the Senate impeachment trial on January 22, 2020, Hakeem Jeffries experienced an unexpected interruption when a protester in the gallery disrupted the proceedings by shouting at the senators. Jeffries, unfazed, responded with composure, quoting a verse from Psalm 37:28: "For the Lord loves justice and will not abandon his faithful ones." He then calmly continued delivering his testimony.
2020: Refers to Jerusalem as "the sixth borough"
At an American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference in 2020, Hakeem Jeffries stated that "back home in New York City we consider Jerusalem to be the sixth borough," highlighting his strong support for Israel.
2020: Re-elected to the House
Hakeem Jeffries won the House of Representatives election in 2020, facing no primary opponent.
November 2022: Hakeem Jeffries Elected as First African American to Lead a Party in Congress
In a historic moment in November 2022, Hakeem Jeffries was unanimously elected to succeed Nancy Pelosi as the leader of the House Democratic Caucus. This election marked a significant milestone as he became the first African American to lead a party in either chamber of the United States Congress.
November 2022: Hakeem Jeffries Makes History as First African American to Lead a Party Caucus in Congress
With the endorsement of outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Hakeem Jeffries secured his position as House Democratic Leader for the 118th Congress in November 2022, unopposed. This historic election signified a groundbreaking moment as he became the first African American to lead a party caucus in the history of the United States Congress.
2022: Re-election to the House of Representatives
In 2022, Hakeem Jeffries secured his re-election to the House of Representatives with a significant majority, garnering 71.63% of the vote. This victory showcased his strong standing within his district.
October 2023: Hakeem Jeffries Nominated as Speaker Candidate After McCarthy's Removal
In October 2023, following the successful motion to vacate the speakership of Kevin McCarthy, House Democrats once again unanimously nominated Hakeem Jeffries as their candidate for Speaker of the House, highlighting their continued confidence in his leadership.
November 9, 2023: Rejects Calls for a Ceasefire
Hakeem Jeffries, amidst the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, dismissed appeals for a ceasefire on November 9, 2023.
November 14, 2023: Speaks at March for Israel
On November 14, 2023, Hakeem Jeffries delivered a speech at the March for Israel, where he denounced antisemitism, called for the secure return of hostages captured by Hamas, and advocated for a sustainable peace.
2023: Votes Against Removal of US Troops from Syria
Hakeem Jeffries voted against H.Con.Res. 21 in 2023, a resolution that aimed to withdraw US troops from Syria within 180 days.
2023: Hakeem Jeffries Becomes House Minority Leader
In 2023, Hakeem Jeffries assumed the position of House Minority Leader and Leader of the House Democratic Caucus. This significant career milestone highlighted his rise in political leadership.
April 2024: Votes for Military Aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
Hakeem Jeffries voted in favor of a military aid package in April 2024 to support Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
June 2024: New York Governor Pauses Congestion Pricing
In June 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul postponed the congestion pricing plan in New York City indefinitely, reportedly influenced by concerns raised by Hakeem Jeffries.