LEADER JEFFRIES: “DONALD TRUMP AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE LYING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE”

LEADER JEFFRIES: “DONALD TRUMP AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE LYING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE” – Congressman Hakeem JeffriesSkip to contentSearch SUBMIT Congressman Hakeem JeffriesSearchMenu ToggleAboutContactEmail MeRequest a MeetingInvite Me to SpeakOfficesNewsletter and Text Update SubscriptionReport a Website ProblemServicesCongressional App ChallengeCongressional Art CompetitionFY26 Appropriations Requests (CPF & Programmatic)Congressional CommendationsFlagsHelp with a Federal AgencyMilitary Academy NominationsTours and Tickets2025 Inauguration TicketsPeople Over PoliticsAffordable InternetDelivering for Those Who ServedLower Prescription Drug CostsTackling the Student Loan Debt CrisisLegislationCommittees and CaucusesSponsored LegislationVoting RecordMedia CenterPress ReleasesVideosEventsResourcesCOVID-19 Information and ResourcesFree Tax Preparation & FilingFor BusinessFor InternshipsFor Military PersonnelFor VeteransFor Senior CitizensFor StudentsAdditional Services and ResourcesAboutContactEmail MeRequest a MeetingInvite Me to SpeakOfficesNewsletter and Text Update SubscriptionReport a Website ProblemServicesAppropriations RequestsFY26 Appropriations Requests (CPF & Programmatic)Congressional App ChallengeCongressional Art CompetitionCongressional CommendationsFlagsHelp with a Federal AgencyMilitary Academy NominationsTours and Tickets2025 Inauguration TicketsPeople Over PoliticsAffordable InternetBringing Manufacturing Jobs to AmericaDelivering for Those Who ServedLow Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Lower Prescription Drug CostsSocial Security and MedicareTackling the Student Loan Debt CrisisProtecting Reproductive RightsCongressman Hakeem JeffriesLegislationSponsored LegislationVoting RecordCommittees and CaucusesMedia CenterPress ReleasesVideosEventsResourcesCOVID-19 Information and ResourcesFederal GrantsFree Tax Preparation & FilingFor BusinessFor InternshipsFor Military PersonnelFor VeteransFor Senior CitizensFor StudentsAdditional Services and ResourcesSearch LEADER JEFFRIES: “DONALD TRUMP AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE LYING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE” FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube March 5th, 2025 | Press Release LEADER JEFFRIES: “DONALD TRUMP AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE LYING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE” Washington, DC – Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined Brian Tyler Cohen to discuss Donald Trump’s address to Congress and the lies and conspiracy theories he peddled throughout.BRIAN TYLER COHEN: Leader Jeffries, thank you so much for joining.LEADER JEFFRIES: Good to see you.BRIAN TYLER COHEN: So was there a moment in tonight’s speech where-that really kind of summarized everything that you felt that really clarified into one moment, distilled into one moment, really what this administration is about thus far?LEADER JEFFRIES: I think when Donald Trump made the outlandish claim that he’s been the most accomplished president in American history, including above George Washington. I mean, we knew that he was going to come to the Hill and repeatedly lie to the American people, and that’s exactly what he did. But that captures the fact that it’s always about him and never about the American people. This is why the economy is crashing. Things haven’t gotten better. They’re getting worse. And the free world is falling apart because Donald Trump is playing footsie with Vladimir Putin.BRIAN TYLER COHEN: There was a moment that we were just speaking about, and that was what should have been a sweet moment where he highlighted a young kid who was dealing with cancer named DJ. And yet, there was no acknowledgement that in the spending bill that Republican put forward in the beginning of the year what was cut from that in order to smooth things over so that Elon could have an easier path with the Chinese business interests, is that cancer research funding was stripped out of that bill. And now we’re also seeing the NIH, for example, which funds cancer research, also being gutted by somebody like Elon Musk. And so this is just one more example of him being perfectly content to use props to promote himself, but at the same time undermining the very thing he purports to care about.LEADER JEFFRIES: The GOP tax scam and the reckless Republican budget will devastate medical research, devastate the research into pediatric cancer, devastate the social safety net. They’re going to go after Social Security benefits. I think that was clear after this speech. And we know that they are proposing the largest Medicaid cut in American history that’s going to hurt children, hurt families, hurt people with disabilities, shut down hospitals and close nursing homes.BRIAN TYLER COHEN: You know, folks are looking at what’s happening with the Social Security Administration and the impending cuts to that administration and wondering what the implications are going to be for Social Security itself. And, of course, we hear Trump come forward and say that there’s nothing to worry about as far as Social Security is concerned. There’s nothing to worry about as far as Medicare is concerned. And of course, he says that about Medicaid, even though we know that he’s proposed $880 billion in cuts to Energy and Commerce, the only way to find $880 billion in cuts in Energy and Commerce is to cut Medicaid in very much the same way that the only way to find $230 billion in cuts in the Agriculture Committee is to cut that money from Food Stamps. And so what do you say to folks who don’t know what to believe here? Because, because you’ve got Democrats saying that these things are very much on the chopping block, and you’ve got Trump promising up and down, even in instances like this, where he’s got the eyes of the nation upon him, that he’s not going to touch these programs.LEADER JEFFRIES: Donald Trump and House Republicans are lying to the American people. They’re lying about Social Security, they’re lying about Medicare and they certainly are lying about Medicaid. Donald Trump said in January that Republicans were going to love and cherish Medicaid. Give me a break. Love and cherish Medicaid? When you proposed $880 billion in possible cuts, the largest cut to Medicaid in American history? We’re going to stand on the side of the American people and their health care. And Republicans are clearly standing on the side of the billionaire donors, the wealthy, the well-off and well-connected corporations.BRIAN TYLER COHEN: What do you make of the fact that, you know, the reality is that if these Republican lawmakers are going to be held to account for what they’re trying to do right now, that the way to actually face the American people is going to be at these town halls across the country. We’ve seen those crash and burn with even lawmakers in deep Republican states—I’m talking R +10, R +11, R +22, R +25. That means 25 points more Republican than the rest of the nation. And recently, we’ve gotten guidance from the NRCC that says that these Republican lawmakers should no longer do town halls. And so, my thought—and I’m curious what you think of this—is why not have Democrats, either elected officials from those states or even candidates for office come in and fill the void? And if these Republicans won’t come in, why not just get Democrats to speak to those constituents themselves and show that A, Democrats are not this boogeyman like they’ve been made out to be on Fox News, on OAN, on Newsmax, and B, actually give those constituents in those districts the opportunity to speak to somebody. And if it’s not going to be a Republican, why not put a Democrat in there and say, look, I’m here, I’m listening. I’m going to be accountable to your concerns.LEADER JEFFRIES: We’re willing to go anywhere, anytime, anyplace to communicate with the American people about what’s happening in Washington, D.C., and what the Republicans are absolutely not doing in terms of improving the quality of life of everyday Americans—they promised they were going to lower costs. Costs are exploding. Inflation is up—and to expose the lies connected to the Republican agenda.BRIAN TYLER COHEN: And finally, what’s your message to folks out there who are watching this stuff play out, knowing full well that Democrats don’t have majorities in the House, the Senate or the White House and and feel like they want to do something. There’s a lot of people who are watching, who are highly engaged right now, arguably more people, more engaged right now than even were watching and paying attention prior to the election, at least if social media analytics have anything to say about it, and yet don’t know where to best put their energy. And I hear from folks both in the US, out of the US, people in deep blue states, and of course folks who live in moderate or even Republican districts. What’s the best way to expend some of the energy that they have for people who are looking to help?LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, make sure that you show up, you stand up, you’re speaking up, you’re telling your story to your Member of Congress, to your Senator, whether they’re a Democrat or Republican, because at the end of the day, what’s going to move this country back in the right direction is for the American people to fully understand the implications of this very divisive and extreme agenda that is being unleashed on the American people. Join an advocacy organization. Show up at a town hall meeting when it’s being held. Make sure you’re amplifying the stories that move you on your social media or communicating with your family, with your friends, with your neighbors, with your co-workers. This is an all-hands-on-deck effort and certainly is going to involve members of the House, members of the Senate, government, mayors, local elected officials, civil rights groups, advocacy organizations, but most importantly, the American people. It’s our country. It’s our democracy. It’s our future that is on the line. And together, we are going to get through this moment.BRIAN TYLER COHEN: Leader Jeffries, I appreciate your time.LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you, sir.Full interview can be watched here. 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