House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) made an utter fool of himself as he took questions from members of the press in an attempt to defend fellow Florida Democrat Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother Edwin Cherfilus against allegations that she stole close to $5 million in FEMA funds.
For reference, the allegations against McCormick, 46, say that she and her brother Edwin used their family health care company on a FEMA-funded COVID vaccination staffing contract in 2021, according to an announcement made by U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quinones who serves the Southern District of Florida.
A reporter asked Jeffries, “Mr. Leader, one of your members, last night, was indicted in Florida for supposedly, allegedly using COVID relief funds from FEMA to bolster her campaign. If the ethics committee comes back and corroborates those claims that were made in the indictment, do you expect Congresswoman McCormick to resign?”
House Minority Leader Jeffries answered by dodging the matter of how disgusting it is to steal emergency relief funds, saying, “Sheila is entitled to the presumption of innocence like every other American. She’s entitled to her day in court. She’s entitled to a jury of her peers. We’re going to follow the facts and be guided by the law.”
Predictably, Jeffries got totally skewered by the internet over his comments. One poster on Facebook, for example, said, “DISGUSTING! Rep. Hakeem Jeffries defends Democrat Congresswoman charged with stealing $5 MILLION worth of FEMA Emergency Funds!
MAKE THIS GO VIRAL so everyone sees how Democrats respond when they get caught stealing from YOU!”
Watch Jeffries here:
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According to AOL, in July of that year, the McCormicks’ company received a payment of over $5 million from FEMA. Prosecutors involved in the case say the congresswoman then took those funds and laundered them, ultimately using the cash to support her 2021 bid for Congress.
On Thursday, Jeffries’ office put out a statement revealing that Cherfilus-McCormick would be stepping away from her position as a “Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa” while the investigation and legal proceedings continue.
The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington also put out a statement, calling the crimes Cherfilus-McCormick is being accused of “abhorrent” and utterly beyond the pale. “An individual who used FEMA funds as a personal and political piggy bank, if the allegations are proven to be true, should not have any authority over how taxpayer funds are appropriated,” the non-profit’s statement went on to say about the allegations.
It continued, “This appears to be yet another breach of trust in an era of unprecedented self-dealing and corruption. Representative Cherfilus-McCormick was right to step back from her committee leadership and must resign if convicted.”
Cherfilus-McCormick was elected to office during a special election in 2022, after the death of Alcee Hastings. She represents parts of the Sunshine State including Palm Beach County. The congresswoman “has long been under scrutiny” for the allegations, indicating officials have been investigating the situation for quite some time.
The Florida Democrat addressed the allegations made against her in a statement released on Thursday morning. “This is an unjust, baseless, sham indictment − and I am innocent. The timing alone is curious and clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues. From day one, I have cooperated with every lawful request, and I will continue to do so until this matter is resolved.”
Her statement then goes on to express gratitude for the support she’s received from her district and her belief that the truth will ultimately vindicate her declaration of innocence. “I am deeply grateful for the support of my district, and I remain confident that the truth will prevail. I look forward to my day in court. Until then, I will continue fighting for my constituents.”