"Democrats are holding firm." — Hakeem Jeffries: Dems won’t blink in the “SHUTDOWN STANDOFF”

"Democrats are holding firm." — Hakeem Jeffries: Dems won’t blink in the “SHUTDOWN STANDOFF”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries took the mic to remind everyone that, yes, Democrats are still holding firm—and no, they’re not blinking in this government shutdown staring contest. Speaking at a House Democratic press conference, Jeffries accused Donald Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson, and the GOP of treating a government shutdown like a campaign strategy and “cruelty” as a governing philosophy.

While Republicans argue the shutdown is about “fiscal responsibility,” Jeffries flipped the script—saying it’s about hurting everyday Americans while rewarding billionaire donors. In his words: “Cruelty is the point.”

The exchange hit all the classic Washington beats: blame, counter-blame, and the faint scent of déjà vu. But somewhere between the soundbites and the spin, Jeffries’ message was clear—Democrats aren’t budging, and this shutdown drama might outlast your favorite streaming series.