Johnson slams Jeffries for backing Zohran Mamdani, says it's the 'end' of Democratic Party

WASHINGTON, DC:  House Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday, October 27, said that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ endorsement of New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani signaled “the end of the Democratic Party as we’ve known it.”

Speaking at a Capitol Hill press conference, Johnson said that Jeffries had “relented” to pressure from the far left activists by backing Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist who defeated former Gov Andrew Cuomo in a shocking primary upset earlier this year.

Johnson says the Democratic Party isn't for moderates anymore

“On Friday, there was a little bit of a seismic shift in politics,” Johnson said.

“We saw our clearest sign yet that this radical insurgent movement in the Democratic Party is succeeding, and they are ending what has always been known as the Democratic Party in America,” he added.

Johnson accused Jeffries of capitulating to “the far left” and abandoning moderate Democrats in the process.

“After a months-long pressure campaign from the far left, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries finally relented,” Johnson said.

“He gave in and he gave his endorsement to the socialist running to be mayor of New York City," he continued.

"The House Democrats have chosen a side. They were forced to by that far left that they’re so terrified of," Johnson added.

“There is no longer a place for centrists and moderates in their party,” he said.

Jeffries’ endorsement follows months of alleged pressure

Jeffries’ endorsement, announced on Friday, came after months of speculation and reported pressure from the Democratic left to unify behind Mamdani.

The New York lawmaker had been leading polls ahead of Election Day, facing Cuomo, who stayed in the race as an independent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

Initially, establishment Democrats were hesitant to support Mamdani due to his reported hardline socialist views.

Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had repeatedly fielded questions about their silence, saying they were still engaged in discussions.

That changed on Friday, when Jeffries released a statement formally endorsing the entire Democratic ticket in New York, which included Mamdani. 

It read, "Zohran Mamdani has relentlessly focused on addressing the affordability crisis and explicitly committed to being a Mayor for all New Yorkers, including those who do not support his candidacy."

Schumer, as of Monday, had not yet issued an endorsement.

Johnson says Democrats are going to 'co-own the consequences' 

Johnson did not mince words when describing Mamdani, painting him as someone who is unfit for leadership in America’s largest city.

“The candidate that they have endorsed, Mamdani, is somebody who we’ve talked about a lot from this podium,” Johnson said.

"He’s sympathized with Hamas and openly embraced anti-Semitic language. He’s called to ‘seize the means of production’ because he is a Marxist," he continued.

"He’s called to abolish our borders, to abolish and end immigration enforcement, to defund the police, and to legalize prostitution, among a long list of hits that I could share with you," Johnson said.

Johnson then warned that Democrats will “co-own the consequences” of Mamdani’s potential victory. 

“Zohran Mamdani is expected to take the helm of one of the most important cities in the world and now he has the full blessing of the Democrat leader in the House of Representatives,” Johnson further added.

“It is shocking, and that leader and all the other Democrats are going to co-own the consequences of what they do to America’s largest city,” he concluded.