Tensions Explode on Capitol Hill as Jeffries and Trump Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Clash Over Shutdown Rhetoric

A fiery war of words erupted in Washington on Friday after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) launched a blistering verbal attack on White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, accusing her of spreading “lies and hate” amid a deepening federal government shutdown.

Speaking to reporters, Jeffries did not hold back. “You’ve got Karoline Leavitt, who’s sick. She’s out of control,” he said. “And I’m not sure whether she’s just demented, ignorant, a stone-cold liar, or all of the above.”

His comments came in response to earlier remarks by Leavitt, who had described the Democratic Party as “a coalition of terrorists, violent criminals, and illegal immigrants.” The exchange marks one of the most heated moments yet in an already volatile political standoff.

Jeffries condemned Leavitt’s statements as “beyond irresponsible,” arguing that such rhetoric undermines public trust and distracts from real issues facing Americans during the ongoing shutdown. “The idea that an official White House spokesperson would say something so outrageous about the opposition party is absurd,” he said. “This is what the American people are getting from the Trump administration — division instead of leadership.”

Leavitt Fires Back

Within hours, Leavitt retaliated with a lengthy post on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Jeffries and his fellow Democrats of “lashing out because they know the truth hurts.”

“Hakeem Jeffries and the Democrats are furious because I called them out,” she wrote. “The Democratic Party absolutely caters to pro-Hamas sympathizers, illegal aliens, and violent offenders. That’s not a smear — that’s a fact.”

Leavitt went on to claim that House Democrats had “turned their backs on Israel” by failing to support a resolution condemning Hamas following the October 7 terrorist attacks. She also criticized Democratic lawmakers for, in her view, “siding with radical activists” who disrupted university campuses during pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Her post continued, “Democrats opened our borders and allowed tens of millions of illegal immigrants into our country — including rapists and murderers — because they see them as future voters. They protect criminals with policies like cashless bail and then wonder why our streets aren’t safe.”

In closing, Leavitt took a personal swipe at the Democratic leader: “Hakeem Jeffries doesn’t care about the American people. He’s an America-Last politician, a stone-cold loser who should focus on reopening the government instead of throwing insults.”

Leavitt later appeared on Fox News’ Hannity, where she defended her statements and accused Democrats of “weaponizing outrage” to deflect from the shutdown’s consequences.

Swastika Controversy Adds Fuel

The war of words came as Capitol Hill was already on edge following reports of a swastika found on an American flag inside the office of Rep. Dave Taylor (R-OH).

When pressed about the incident, Jeffries linked the rise in extremist imagery to what he described as “a toxic political environment fueled by right-wing rhetoric.”

Taylor, however, said his office was the victim of a targeted stunt aimed at creating controversy. “Several Republican offices were targeted with identical flags that appeared normal at first glance,” he said in a statement. “Once the hidden symbol was discovered, we removed it immediately and contacted Capitol Police. No one in my office would ever condone such hate.”

The discovery has since prompted an investigation, with multiple congressional offices confirming similar incidents.

Shutdown Enters Fourth Week

Meanwhile, the government shutdown has entered its fourth week, paralyzing federal services and affecting millions of workers nationwide.

Negotiations between the two chambers remain gridlocked. The Senate on Thursday night rejected a Republican-led continuing resolution (CR) that would have temporarily reopened the government through November, citing the bill’s lack of funding for healthcare programs and pandemic-era spending extensions.

Republicans argue that Democrats are prolonging the crisis for political leverage. “The American people are paying the price for their stubbornness,” one GOP aide told reporters.

Democrats counter that the Republican proposal fails to address core issues such as healthcare access and economic recovery. “We will not reopen the government on the backs of working families while Republicans refuse to meet basic funding needs,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in a statement.

A Capitol on Edge

Observers say the public feud between Jeffries and Leavitt reflects a deeper political breakdown in Washington. “This isn’t just about a shutdown anymore,” said Dr. Elaine Karr, a political analyst at Georgetown University. “It’s about two competing visions for the country — and neither side seems willing to compromise.”

As the shutdown drags on, frustration continues to build among federal employees and contractors missing paychecks. Economists warn that prolonged inaction could rattle markets and threaten economic stability.

Yet for now, both parties appear entrenched. Jeffries continues to press the White House for a deal that includes expanded healthcare funding, while Leavitt insists that “Democrats must stop holding the American people hostage to their radical agenda.”

With neither side showing signs of retreat, Washington’s standoff grows more bitter by the day — and the personal animosity between two of its most visible figures, Hakeem Jeffries and Karoline Leavitt, may have just raised the temperature even higher.