politics
Trump Calls for Criminal Charges Against Rep. Hakeem Jeffries
President Trump demanded on Truth Social that Hakeem Jeffries be charged with inciting violence, linking the Democrat's "maximum warfare" rhetoric to a recent assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. Jeffries responded by calling the post a "deranged rant" and highlighting economic issues.
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President Trump on Thursday called for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to be charged with inciting violence over the Democrat's use of the phrase "maximum warfare" against Republicans. The demand came in a Truth Social post that tied Jeffries' rhetoric to an assassination scare at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in April.
Trump included images of Jeffries holding a "maximum warfare" sign alongside security footage of the suspect rushing a checkpoint. " Trump wrote, asking his followers whether Jeffries should face charges. Surveillance video released by the Justice Department shows the suspect, identified as Cole Allen, attempting to breach security with a weapon in hand.
A spokesperson for Jeffries referred to Trump's comments as "another deranged rant" and pointed to rising gas prices, surging grocery bills and families struggling. The spokesperson added that Democrats are positioned to retake the House in November's midterm elections.
" He traced the phrase to an anonymous White House staffer who used it last year during discussions over nationwide redistricting battles. "That phrase ‘maximum warfare everywhere, all the time’ came from the White House in the summer of 2025, when they started this redistricting battle, and now they're big mad," Jeffries said at a news conference.
He has repeatedly stated opposition to all forms of political violence while refusing to retract the wording. Republicans have for years argued that Democratic statements directed at Republicans have contributed to violent actions by individuals on the left.
As of Thursday, no evidence has directly linked Jeffries' remarks to the actions of the suspect in the April incident.
In other news Thursday, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas became the second longest-serving justice in the court's history, surpassing the tenure of a justice nominated by President Abraham Lincoln. Greece is advancing plans to require social media users to verify their real identities, with officials stating the measure aims to curb online toxicity, harassment, fake news and hate speech ahead of 2027 elections.
