Article By David Hawkins
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) quietly met with Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and longtime adviser, for a private discussion about areas where Democrats and the administration could potentially work together.
According to The New York Times, the meeting took place in a private New York City space provided by a mutual friend.
Five people familiar with the meeting told the newspaper about the discussion on condition of anonymity.
Neither Jeffries nor Kushner has publicly commented on the meeting.
Immigration, Housing and Cost of Living Discussed
One person familiar with the meeting described it as a broad conversation covering several issues, while another characterized it as a “catch-up.”
According to reporting from The New York Times and CNN, the discussion included immigration, housing, and the cost of living as possible areas of overlap between House Democrats and the Trump administration.
The timing is notable.
Democrats are heading into the November midterms with a serious chance of retaking the House, and Jeffries is widely viewed as the likely candidate for speaker if they succeed.
Some far-left Democrats, however, have declined to commit to supporting Jeffries for the position.
Trump Allies Prepare for Possible Democrat House
The New York Times reported that the meeting reflects growing awareness among Trump allies that Republicans could lose control of the House.
Establishing lines of communication with Jeffries now could become important if Democrats take the majority next year.
Kushner reportedly encouraged Jeffries during the meeting to speak with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
That recommendation was also corroborated by sources speaking to CNN.
Hakeem Jeffries and Jared Kushner Meet Privately Per NYT
— OSZ (@OpenSourceZone) August 23, 2026
(They discussed how Democrats and the administration could work together) pic.twitter.com/WcC4ybSpFQ
Jeffries and Kushner Have Worked Together Before
The meeting was not the first time Jeffries and Kushner have dealt with one another.
During Trump’s first term, the two worked together on the First Step Act, bipartisan criminal justice legislation signed into law in 2018.
The law sought to reduce portions of the federal prison population and changed mandatory minimum sentencing rules for some offenses.
Jeffries and Kushner have remained in contact since then.
Mike Johnson Downplays Meeting
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was asked about the meeting during an appearance on Fox News.
Johnson said he did not know the details and downplayed Kushner’s current role inside the administration.
He described Kushner as someone with interests in a range of issues who is “not really directly involved in the admin, at least in the day-to-day in the White House.”
The private meeting nevertheless comes at a politically sensitive moment.
With control of the House up for grabs, Jeffries and Kushner are already discussing potential areas of cooperation before voters decide which party will run the chamber next year.
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