House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Monday fiercely defended his use of the phrase "maximum warfare" to describe Democrats' redistricting efforts.
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Why it matters: Republicans have characterized the remark as an example of the type of inflammatory rhetoric that can spark political violence following the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting.
- After Virginians narrowly voted last week to approve a new map that could give Democrats a 10-1 majority, Jeffries said at a press conference: "We are in an era of maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time."
- It was a direct reference to an anonymous source's characterization of the White House's strategy on mid-decade redistricting in a New York Times story last summer.
What they're saying: "As it relates to the comment related to 'maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time,' in connection with the redistricting battle that Republicans launched, I stand by it," Jeffries said at a press conference Monday.
- Addressing "so-called criticism from these phony Republicans," Jeffries said: "You can continue to criticize me for it. I don't give a damn about the criticism ... get lost."
- Jeffries noted that the phrase originated from a source that the Times described as being "close to" President Trump.
State of play: Several House Republicans took to social media in the aftermath of the Saturday shooting to accuse Jeffries of stoking partisan resentment with the comment.
- Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) wrote in a post on X: "Hakeem Jeffries called for 'Maximum warfare' against President Trump and his Administration ... The Democrat Party's rhetoric is demonic and dangerous."
- "It is unacceptable that House Democrats continue to remain silent in the aftermath of his call for 'maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time' against Republicans," Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) posted on X.
- Fine called for Democrats to hold Jeffries "accountable."
The bottom line: Jeffries has repeatedly condemned the shooting and related acts of political violence.
- "Political violence in any form, directed at anyone, whether that's left, right or center, is unacceptable. Period, full stop," he said at his Monday press conference.