Jeffries says Trump trying to 'disorient' with talk of third term, being king

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Sunday said President Trump is trying to “disorient” by talking about a third term and being a king.
“Donald Trump made repeated comments this week about possibly serving a third term, calling himself a king in a social media post. Do you take that seriously, or do you think he's just trolling people trying to get them upset?” CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Jeffries on “State of the Union.”
Jeffries responded that the president “is intentionally unleashing extremism and outrageous things on the American people to try to disorient everyday Americans."
“Donald Trump is not a king. We will never bend the knee. Not now, not ever. And we'll continue to point out that he's focused on the wrong things,” he added.
On Thursday, the president raised the idea of trying for another term at a Black History Month event.
“Should I run again? You tell me,” Trump said to the crowd assembled for the event.
The day before Trump’s comments on a third term, Trump posted to Truth Social that New York was “saved” following his administration's announcement that it would rescind a congestion pricing plan's approval.
“CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED.” Trump posted to his Truth Social. “LONG LIVE THE KING!”
In his CNN appearance, Jeffries said the president is “not focused on improving the quality of life of everyday Americans or driving down the high cost of living.”
“Democrats are committed to making life better for every single American in every single community in every corner of this great country,” he added.
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.
-
GOP senator says he wouldn’t change Constitution for third Trump term unless Americans ‘chose to’
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) tells Kristen Welker he believes that calls from Trump allies to extend President Trump’s time in office are “a joke.”NBC News - 4h -
Trump again floats unconstitutional third term
The 22nd Amendment limits U.S. presidents to two terms in office, but that hasn't stopped President Trump and his supporters from raising the idea of a third term. Josh Chafetz, professor of law ...CBS News - 1d -
Trump Elevates Kremlin Talking Points, a Familiar Pattern From His First Term
President Trump’s description of President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine as a “Dictator without Elections” echoes the Kremlin’s messaging.The New York Times - 2d -
Mullin says Trump 'joked' about running a third time
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) said Sunday that President Trump was joking when he floated running for a third term, adding he could not seek to change the Constitution without the consent of ...The Hill - 57m -
U.S. envoy says talks with Ukraine are positive amid Trump criticism of Zelenskyy
Ukraine and European allies are being vigilant after a meeting between U.S. Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Kellogg praised what he called a "positive" ...CBS News - 2d -
Trump says he's had 'good talks' with Putin but not Ukraine
President Donald Trump said he's had "good talks" with Russia's Vladimir Putin but not with Ukraine, and that he's "sick" of how Volodymyr Zelenskyy has handled the war.ABC News - 1d -
Trump right to engage Putin on peace talks, says minister
Bridget Phillipson says the US thawing diplomatic ties with Putin "brought Russians to the table".BBC News - 5h -
Trump official says Zelenskyy will sign US minerals deal ‘in the very short term’
National security adviser Mike Waltz tells CPAC agreement is expected imminently as part of ceasefire negotiations. The White House national security adviser, Mike Waltz, said on Friday that the ...The Guardian - 2d -
Trump says he ‘had very good talks with Putin’ and again criticizes Ukraine – live
US president also accuses Kyiv of talking ‘tough’ but having few bargaining chips in latest remarks in feud with Ukrainian president Zelenskyy. French far-right leader cancels CPAC speech over ...The Guardian - 1d
More from The Hill
-
Zelensky says he'd step down 'if it brings peace'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that he would step down from the presidency if it meant achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine. “If to achieve peace, you really need me to give up ...The Hill - 37m -
Mullin says Trump 'joked' about running a third time
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) said Sunday that President Trump was joking when he floated running for a third term, adding he could not seek to change the Constitution without the consent of ...The Hill - 57m -
Prebiotic sodas: What are they, and why are they everywhere?
The prebiotic soda market has grown so much, even Coca-Cola is getting in on it.The Hill - 1h -
Musk may be the wedge Democrats need to separate Trump from his working-class base
Elon Musk is dominating the media and the political landscape, with his influence over President Trump and his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) raising concerns about his ...The Hill - 1h -
Bessent says US-Ukraine deal has 'implicit' economic security guarantee
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said a U.S.-Ukraine deal featuring “strategic minerals, energy and state-owned enterprises” has an “implicit” economic security guarantee. “This deal is part of ...The Hill - 1h
More in Politics
-
DOGE's Musk says federal employees must document their work or resign
Elon Musk's instructions came after President Trump praised the head of DOGE but would like to see him get more aggressive in reducing the federal government.CBS News - 13m -
Booker says firing Joint Chiefs chairman sends ‘dangerous message’ to the military on political loyalty
Booker says firing Joint Chiefs chairman sends a ‘dangerous message’ to the military on political loyalty.NBC News - 29m -
Zelensky says he'd step down 'if it brings peace'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that he would step down from the presidency if it meant achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine. “If to achieve peace, you really need me to give up ...The Hill - 37m -
Mullin says Trump 'joked' about running a third time
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) said Sunday that President Trump was joking when he floated running for a third term, adding he could not seek to change the Constitution without the consent of ...The Hill - 57m -
Prebiotic sodas: What are they, and why are they everywhere?
The prebiotic soda market has grown so much, even Coca-Cola is getting in on it.The Hill - 1h