Rep. James Clyburn pushed back sharply Wednesday against progressive criticism of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, arguing that Jeffries’ record leading House Democrats speaks for itself.
During an appearance on CNN’s The Arena, host Kasie Hunt asked Clyburn about the party’s internal divide between progressives and more pragmatic Democrats, and whether Jeffries was striking the right balance among those factions as the midterms loom.
Clyburn Points to Wins Under Jeffries
Clyburn responded by pointing to Democratic performance in special elections and procedural fights in the House.
“The proof is in the pudding. We’ve been winning,” Clyburn said, according to the broadcast transcript. He cited special election victories and discharge petitions that reached the House floor, describing them as record-setting.
He argued that those results show Jeffries is leading the caucus effectively.
“This man is running our caucus in a very effective manner,” Clyburn said. “We are having success on the floor of the House of Representatives. We’re having success in these elections, the elections that really count.”
‘Most of These People’
Clyburn also drew on his own political experience in South Carolina, saying he had faced criticism for what he called his “progressive leanings.”
“You show me a person who’s never been criticized, and I will show you one who’s never done anything,” Clyburn said. “And most of these people who are criticizing have never done anything.”
The remark came as some progressives have questioned Jeffries’ leadership and political approach. Clyburn did not name specific critics in the quoted exchange.
Primary Battles, Then Party Unity
Clyburn framed Democratic primary fights as “intramural” contests with competing interests. He said candidates should be allowed to fight through primaries, but Democrats should unite behind the winner afterward.
He noted that he has supported candidates who defeated him or candidates he backed.
“I have picked losers in primaries. I have been a loser in the primary, and I’ve always endorsed the person I lost to,” Clyburn said. “And I would hope that continues to be the case in this instance.”
Asked whether Jeffries has what it takes, Clyburn returned to his central argument: “The proof is in the pudding.”
