LEADER JEFFRIES ON MS NOW: “WE NEED MASSIVE REFORM TO THE WAY IN WHICH ICE AND DHS ARE CURRENTLY CONDUCTING THEMSELVES”

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MS NOW's The Briefing, where he made clear that Democrats will continue to hold ICE, DHS and the Trump administration accountable for the extremism that they are unleashing on American communities.

JEN PSAKI: Joining me now is House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Mike Johnson-I can't, that clip. I had to watch it a few times because I just can't believe that that is the message when we're seeing what we're seeing with our own eyes happen in Minneapolis. The continuing terror done on communities across that state. What people-I think everybody watching knows this, but Democrats are not in control of the House, they're not in control of Senate and they're not in control of the White House. So there's a question of leverage here. I know you've talked about, and others in Democratic leadership, the CHC, the Progressive Caucus, have all talked about accountability. And I want to talk about those measures. But what leverage do you see you have right now to try to force Republicans to make this an issue in the funding debate?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, one thing that's going to be important is to continue to point out how outrageous it is that Republicans are trying to justify what ICE is doing in American communities, on American streets and to American citizens. ICE just killed, in cold blood, Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old American citizen, who's left behind three children. This is unreal stuff. It's unconscionable, it's unacceptable and it's un-American. So continuing to ratchet up the intensity around public pressure and sentiment will be important to push a handful of our Republican colleagues to join us to make sure that ICE actually is conducting itself like every other law enforcement agency in America. That means no masks, that means a requirement that there are body cameras when ICE is engaging in this activity across the country, that means a warrant requirement, that means making sure that ICE can't just bully and bombard and steamroll and storm houses of worship, hospitals, schools, ripping children away from their parents, things that are appropriately horrifying the American people that no other law enforcement agency is permitted to do. And we also have to make sure in law that this notion that ICE has absolute immunity is nothing that can ever be vindicated in an American court of law because part of the challenge here is if you have people in the Trump administration saying that it doesn't matter what you do you will not be held accountable, then there are going to be some bad apples who are out there toting guns, engaging in this lawless behavior, who will feel like they have a free hand to do whatever they want. Governor Walz is right, however, they are going to be held accountable.

JEN PSAKI: I mean, it is infuriating to watch this officer. Seemingly, it's hard to see what the path to accountability is there. Let me ask you, you know, I'm sure you get lots of calls to your office. I know a lot of people do. You just outlined a number of those restrictions you'd like to see on ICE. Masks, it's crazy that they get to wear masks. Warrants, they should have to offer those. More training. You've listed more than that. There is a growing movement, not 50%, of people who want to abolish ICE. There is certainly some kind of political backlash of that five years ago, but explain, you're trying to win back the House, you're trying to become the Speaker. Why is that not the answer right now?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, listen, I think clearly significant reform needs to take place as it relates to the manner in which ICE is conducting itself. ICE is using taxpayer dollars to brutalize American citizens and to unnecessarily and viciously target law abiding immigrant families and communities. The whole premise that Donald Trump sold to the American people was that this immigration enforcement activity was going to target violent felons. It's not targeting violent felons. They're targeting American families, brutalizing American communities. And now, as we've seen, killing American citizens. This is out of control and the American people aren't going to stand for it. So certainly we need massive reform to the way in which ICE and the Department of Homeland Security are currently conducting themselves. The American people are going to demand it and Democrats are going to press for it.

JEN PSAKI: We're certainly seeing that out there with protests and with people marching in the streets. I want to turn to healthcare because it was just a week ago-it feels like we're in some sort of version of dog years, I don't even know how you feel right now-that you helped lead the effort to pass a three-year extension of the ACA subsidies that so many millions of Americans are relying on. We've already seen 1.4 million people opt out of healthcare and it's going to be more as they see what the costs are. Right now there is a-I'm going to call it, you can call it what you want-a phony negotiation over in the Senate. They're not really doing it. Senator Thune could just bring up this three-year extension and get a vote. And who knows, maybe he'd get the votes. Why is he not doing that, and what can be done to press him to do that?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well we decisively, as you pointed out, passed a three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits to ensure that tens of millions of everyday Americans, middle class Americans and working class Americans don't experience dramatically increased health insurance premiums that would, in some instances, bankrupt them or certainly prevent them from being able to go see a doctor when they need one. And all 213 House Democrats were joined by 17 Republicans because the people are with us on this issue. We know over in the Senate that a majority of Senators, 47 Democrats and four Republicans, support extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years in a clean extension. And so the obstacle right now is that John Thune and conservative Republicans, the MAGA extremists, they just want to rip healthcare away from the American people. There's no other explanation. This is the same group of folks that in the One Big Ugly Bill enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. They also ripped food from the mouths of hungry children, seniors and veterans. And they did all of that so they could reward their billionaire donors. And that seems to be the only thing that they care about other than constantly bending the knee to Donald Trump and his extremism.

JEN PSAKI: Just to restate, the overwhelming majority of the public supports an extension of these subsidies and the right wing of the caucus in the Senate Republicans wants to put in conservative abortion restrictions, which means John Thune-he's dealing with that portion of his caucus. I don't know, he could bring it up still and there still might be the votes. But that is what's going on, which is really crazy given millions of people are relying on this right now. Leader Jeffries, thank you so much for being here.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you.

JEN PSAKI: I really appreciate it. So much to discuss. Thank you again.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Good to see you.

Interview can be watched here.

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