During an interview with Stephanie Ruhle on MS NOW Thursday evening, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) warned that Democrats are prepared to challenge what he described as executive overreach by President Donald Trump, both on election authority and potential military action against Iran.
Ruhle asked Jeffries about a report that pro-Trump activists are circulating a draft executive order alleging Chinese interference in the 2020 election as grounds for declaring a national emergency—a move that could grant the president sweeping powers over upcoming elections, especially the midterms.
Jeffries dismissed the premise outright, stating there is “zero evidence” that the Chinese Communist Party interfered in the 2020 presidential election. He pointed out that Trump continues to revisit his loss to former President Joe Biden and is onc again attempting to invoke emergency powers to expand his executive authority.
As Jeffries pointed out, previous efforts by the president to stretch his “emergency” authority has been blocked by the courts. He pointed to Supreme Court rulings blocking Trump’s attempts to federalize the National Guard as well as his invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs—that he then sidestepped by imposing new tariffs under a different statute. If a similar executive order is issued, Jeffries said Democrats would move quickly to have it struck down. He also pledged to prevent the Republican-backed SAVE Act, which he characterized as voter-suppression legislation, from advancing in Congress and making its way to the president’s desk.
Jeffries Rails Against Trump Dragging The US Into War With Iran
The discussion then shifted to Iran. Jeffries reiterated his view that it would be unconstitutional for the president to use military force against the country without congressional authorization. He criticized his Republican colleagues for failing to assert their institutional role, saying they have acted as “rubber stamps” rather than a co-equal branch of government.
Jeffries stated that Democrats plan to introduce legislation in an effort to reassert Congress’ constitutional authority over decisions of war and peace. He expressed confidence that a small number of Republicans—including Thomas Massie (R-KY)—could join the effort, noting that only a few votes would be needed to advance the resolution.
Pressed by Ruhle on whether an unauthorized strike on Iran would constitute an impeachable offense, Jeffries declined to speculate. The immediate priority, he said, is preventing unilateral action. A strike without congressional approval would be reckless and harmful to U.S. national security interests and Democrats are committed to doing everything in their power to stop it before it happens.
