Hakeem Jeffries is poised to become the first black Speaker of the US House of Representatives after Democrats won control of the chamber in the November 3 midterm elections, setting the stage for a historic change in congressional leadership when the new Congress convenes in January 2027.
He studied political science at Binghamton University, earned a master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University and graduated from New York University School of Law. His leadership will be tested as he seeks to keep the party united while negotiating with President Donald Trump ‘s administration during the final two years of the president’s term. House of Representatives The Democrats’ midterm election win puts Hakeem Jeffries in line to become the first Black speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, with the dual challenge of opposing President Donald Trump while bridging the gap between his party’s moderates and its more vocal progressives. They want a Congress that’s going to deliver for the American people,” Mr.
Before entering national politics, he served in the New York State Assembly from 2007 to 2012. Earlier reporting noted: He attacked the Trump-led Republican agenda in Congress over the past two years, pledging to pass legislation reversing steep spending cuts — enacted into law on July 4, 2025 — to the Medicaid healthcare program for the poor and people with disabilities.
Jeffries also worked as a lawyer, including at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and as litigation counsel for Viacom and CBS, according to his official congressional biography. Jeffries is known for incorporating references to scripture and hip-hop into his political speeches, including lyrics associated with Brooklyn rapper The Notorious B.I.G, according to The Times. Jeffries said.
Earlier reporting noted: Hakeem Jeffries poised to become first Black Speaker of U.S. Earlier reporting noted: “The American people have spoken and made clear that they’ve had enough of the extremism, enough of the corruption.
He is expected to face a formal vote from House members when the new Congress convenes on January 3. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on August 4, 1970, Jeffries has represented New York’s 8th Congressional District since entering Congress in 2013. He became House Democratic leader in January 2023, succeeding Nancy Pelosi.
Speaker!” at a Democratic election-night gathering in Washington . He would become the first Black lawmaker to hold the speakership, a position second in the presidential line of succession after the vice-president. Jeffries has outlined plans to focus on lowering living costs and investigating the Trump administration. Democrats are also expected to use their new House majority to increase congressional oversight.
Jeffries was greeted with chants of “Speaker, according to media reports .
