House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries faced shouts of “traitor” and demands for new leadership when protesters interrupted his appearance at a Democratic gathering in Denver. The confrontation unfolded Friday, November 13th, as the New York Democrat participated in a discussion about his party’s future. Security escorted demonstrators out while other attendees shouted back at them and rallied behind the congressman.
Jeffries was appearing alongside moderator Jessica Tarlov at the What’s Next conference inside Denver’s Mission Ballroom. Majority Democrats, an independent organization positioning itself against the party’s left wing, organized the gathering. National Democratic figures and potential presidential contenders attended as the party prepared to take control of the House in January following its November 3rd election victories. Jeffries has served in Congress since 2013 and would become its first Black speaker.
The interruptions began with a young protester expressing concern about the future while Jeffries sat onstage. Tarlov attempted to continue the discussion, telling the demonstrators that young voters were among the subjects she intended to address. Protesters pressed ahead with demands concerning healthcare, climate policy, an arms embargo and the replacement of Democratic leaders, while attendees began booing.
“When is it time for a Green New Deal?” protesters shouted, according to the Washington Examiner, which reported from the event. “When is it time for Medicare for All?” One demonstrator identified herself to the outlet as Nicole Shea Niebler, a Sunrise Movement member. She argued that young voters had helped deliver Democratic victories and accused party leaders of ignoring their priorities. Asked whether Jeffries should become speaker, she rejected the idea.
Another protester directed a personal accusation at Jeffries while being escorted from the venue. “You’re a (expletive) traitor. You don’t fight for the people,” the man shouted, Denverite reported. Jeffries and Tarlov continued speaking over the interruptions. Tarlov also challenged whether a protester was helping, while members of the audience repeatedly chanted the congressman’s first name. The demonstrators were eventually removed.
The Examiner described a second interruption minutes after the initial disruption, with a man demanding impeachment and shouting obscenities at Jeffries. As that protester was escorted away, Tarlov attempted to return to the policy discussion by raising permitting reform. Jeffries invoked his Brooklyn upbringing before dismissing the disturbance: “This is light work.” The panel continued following the confrontation.
Watch the interruptions and Jeffries’ response here. See the NYP video here:
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Reuters reported that approximately 10 hecklers confronted Jeffries at the gathering. Their demands also included ending the war in Iran and halting arms shipments to Israel. Elsewhere at the conference, Democrats debated whether their incoming congressional majorities should pursue cooperation with President Donald Trump or a more confrontational approach. Moderates emphasized affordability and governing, while progressives pressed for broader action on housing, healthcare and corporate power.
The confrontation came ahead of House Democrats’ scheduled November 18th leadership vote, Fox News reported in the story republished by the New York Post. Jeffries was running unopposed for the party’s nomination for speaker. In a Thursday post on X, he outlined an agenda that included reducing the influence of political money and prohibiting members of Congress from trading stocks.
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video.