House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries used a progressive event on Tuesday to say House Democrats must defeat MAGA Republicans electorally and “break their spirit,” while also joining the NAACP and Congressional Black Caucus in backing a call for black athletes to boycott SEC institutions in certain southern states over redistricting disputes, as reported by Red State.

Jeffries, D-N.Y., who has led House Democrats since Rep. Nancy Pelosi stepped down from leadership in November 2022, made the remarks as Democrats look ahead to the November midterm elections and the possibility of reclaiming control of the House.

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During the progressive panel, Jeffries said House Democrats view the current political moment as a fight against “MAGA extremists.”

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Jeffries, who could become House speaker if Democrats take the majority, said that "part of how we as House Democrats view this moment, either MAGA extremists are going to break the country, or we're going to break them, and our goal is to break them."

He also predicted Democrats would retake the House.

"As a guarantee, we are taking back control of the United States House of Representatives in November," Jeffries said.

"We will defeat them," he continued. "We have to beat them electorally, and then we have to break their spirit, because of the extremism that's being unleashed on the American people, that's completely and totally unacceptable."

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The comments drew criticism from Republicans and conservatives who argued that Jeffries’ language was divisive.

Further evidence that Democrats emanate a spirit of malevolence.

Here it is from the very top. Jeffries wants to "break them," meaning tens of millions of Americans. He wants to "break their spirit."That is not a benign policy goal. It's a declaration of war. https://t.co/pD7jqzSgAO— Walter Hudson (@WalterHudson) May 19, 2026

Minnesota GOP Rep. Walter Hudson responded to the remarks, and conservative actor, director, producer and author Nick Searcy also criticized Jeffries.

“The good guys don't say things like this. The super villains do,” Searcy said.

This is how communists talk.

"WE WILL BREAK YOU!"The good guys don't say things like this. The super villains do. @RepJeffries https://t.co/V7rHj4OHqM— Nick Searcy, Actor/Director/Producer/Author (@yesnicksearcy) May 19, 2026

Jeffries’ comments came as Democrats continue to focus on the 2026 midterm elections and redistricting battles in multiple states.

On Tuesday, Jeffries also appeared on the Capitol steps with the NAACP and the Congressional Black Caucus to support a call for black athletes to boycott Southeastern Conference institutions in states accused by activists of using redistricting tactics that harm black political representation.

The SEC includes schools across multiple southern states and is one of the most powerful athletic conferences in college sports.

Jeffries framed the issue as an attack on black political representation.

“This is an unprecedented moment with an attack on Black political representation, and it requires an unprecedented response. We are here in solidarity with the NAACP and its call for athletes to boycott SEC institutions in these states that have unleashed these Jim Crow racially oppressive tactics,” Jeffries said.

The boycott push follows broader fights over redistricting, including a Virginia ruling involving Republican-backed redistricting and California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Proposition 50 plan.

The article noted that Republicans celebrated the Virginia Supreme Court’s ruling, while Democrats have pursued their own redistricting efforts in states where they control the process.

Jeffries’ comments also came as Democrats continue to face questions over their messaging after former President Joe Biden’s presidency and amid ongoing divisions over the party’s direction.

His remarks placed him at the center of another political dispute involving voter representation, campaign rhetoric, and the party’s posture toward Trump supporters.

The Democratic leader’s appearance with the NAACP and CBC showed that redistricting will remain a major issue heading into the midterms, while his comments about breaking MAGA drew fresh attention from Republicans who say Democratic leaders are escalating their language while accusing their opponents of extremism.

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