Kushner, Who Holds No Government Job, Met Privately With Jeffries as the White House Plans for a Democratic House

Trump son-in-law and outside adviser Jared Kushner met privately with House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries in New York recently, the New York Times reported Sunday, Aug. 23, in an account the Associated Press followed. The conversation covered housing, immigration and cost of living, and Kushner suggested Jeffries follow up with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Jeffries did not mention the meeting in a statement that day.

Kushner holds no formal position but has been given an outsized role in the second term, serving as an envoy on foreign missions including the Iran war. Using a family member with no appointment, no Senate confirmation and no disclosure obligations as the channel to the opposition leader places executive-branch dealmaking outside the accountability structures that apply to officials.

House Speaker Mike Johnson bristled when asked about the meeting on Fox News, saying Kushner 'hedges his bets' and 'is not really directly involved in the admin.' Jeffries would be in line for the speakership if Democrats take the House in November.