Hakeem Jeffries says Trump's 2-week Iran ceasefire ‘insufficient,’ calls for permanent end to war
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Hakeem Jeffries said that the short-term ceasefire with Iran just announced by President Donald Trump is not enough to end the conflict.
Jeffries stated that a two-week ceasefire does not address the larger issues associated with the ongoing war, and he called for a complete end to the fighting. US political leaders are responding to Trump's announcement of a limited agreement to ease regional tensions with these comments.
Jeffries calls ceasefire inadequate, calls for lasting solution
Reacting to the proposed pause in fighting, Jeffries said that a temporary ceasefire does not provide long-term stability.
Jeffries calls for Mike Johnson to immediately reconvene the House to take up a war powers resolution pic.twitter.com/FUtKttPM8i
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 8, 2026
On Tuesday’s broadcast of CNN’s ‘AC360,’ House Minority Leader Rep Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) stated that the two-week Iran ceasefire “is insufficient.”
We need a permanent end” to the war and also said that Iran having control of the Strait of Hormuz “would be an extraordinary outcome, but not surprising, given the fact that what we’ve seen from Donald Trump is that he’s plunged America into this war without a plan."
According to reports, Trump’s ceasefire proposal was tied to conditions involving reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.
Jeffries said, “Well, a two-week ceasefire is insufficient. We need a permanent end to Donald Trump’s reckless war of choice, which is why House Democrats have demanded that Speaker Rep Mike Johnson (R-LA) immediately reconvene the House back into session so we can move a war powers resolution that will end this conflict permanently.”
He also indicated that House Democrats are expected to push for legislative action aimed at ending the conflict, including efforts to pass a war powers resolution that would limit continued military engagement.
Concerns raised over Trump’s approach to Iran
In addition to questioning the ceasefire, Jeffries raised concerns about Trump’s overall approach to the conflict with Iran.
“Well, it would be an extraordinary outcome, but not surprising, given the fact that what we’ve seen from Donald Trump is that he’s plunged America into this war, that now involves more than a dozen countries."
“Without any plan, any objective, and any exit strategy in terms of how, actually, this conflict improves the national security of the American people.”
He argued that the situation requires a more comprehensive approach to avoid further escalation.
“What we do know is that, as a result of Donald Trump’s reckless war of choice, life has become more dangerous for the American people, and life has become more expensive."
"As a result of gas prices skyrocketing across the country, further exacerbating an affordability crisis that [is] crushing everyday Americans, middle-class Americans, and working-class Americans throughout the land.”
Jeffries warned that decisions made during the conflict could impact control and access to such routes, raising concerns about long-term implications for international trade and security.