Rep.-elect Don Leonard (D-Ohio) said senior House Democrats threatened to make his life a "living hell" in Washington and work to ensure he loses his reelection bid in 2028 if he refuses to support House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) for speaker.
In a video posted to social media Tuesday (November 10), Leonard described a meeting with senior House Democrats who allegedly warned him that his decision to support Jeffries should not depend on whether the Democratic leader agrees to address issues important to his constituents.
"It's part of the stuff you see in the movies,” Leonard said. “It's a whole other thing when you know it's in person by people who actually care about you and are cheering for you but expect you to wear the team jersey and be a good team player."
Leonard said he wants Jeffries to commit to pursuing a constitutional amendment overturning the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision as well as ending U.S. support for Israel and the war in Iran.
During a separate interview with Joy Reid, host of The Joy Reid Show, on Tuesday, Leonard argued that the U.S. should not continue supporting a war that puts American service members at risk without advancing national security.
"Unless the speaker is willing to get to the heart of this crisis, which is Citizens United, he will not have my vote," Leonard told Reid.
Leonard's comments come amid a broader effort by progressive activists and some incoming Democratic lawmakers to challenge the party's congressional leadership.
According to The Washington Post, liberal advocacy groups have been organizing campaigns to prevent Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) from retaining leadership positions, while some congressional offices have received hundreds of calls from constituents demanding new leadership.
Critics argue that both leaders are too closely aligned with corporate donors, too supportive of Israel and have not done enough to oppose President Donald Trump. In the House, several incoming Democrats have declined to commit to supporting Jeffries, with some demanding policy concessions before backing his bid for speaker, according to the Washington Post.
Leonard did not identify the lawmakers involved in the meeting. House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) told Axios he did not know which senior Democrats Leonard was referring to.
Leonard later on Tuesday described the conversation to reporters as a “friendly” and “well-intentioned” discussion with longtime members of Congress. He said they acknowledged they agreed with him on several issues but made clear that Jeffries would pursue his own message and agenda.
The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.