Mamdani accuses Johnson of trying to ‘distract’ from government shutdown

Candidate for Democratic Mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani accused Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson On Monday, he tried to distract Americans from Republicans’ “lack of results” by sharply criticizing House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for endorsing the Democratic Socialists’ progressive platform.

During Johnson’s daily press conference on the 27th day of Government shutdownHouse Republican leader criticized Jeffries for supporting Mamdani’s mayoral campaign on Friday, calling it the “clearest sign yet that this radical insurgent movement in the Democratic Party is succeeding.”

“Speaker Johnson should be sitting members of Congress instead of using his time to try to attack our election campaign,” Mamdani responded Monday from Manhattan. “But I understand that if I were one of the leaders of the Republican Party, leading a campaign that promised Americans a lower cost of living and cheaper food, and all I could offer them was a government shutdown, then I too would be trying to distract from that lack of results in any way I could.”

After holding back his endorsement for months, Jeffries, who represents Brooklyn in the U.S. House of Representatives, reiterated his support for the Democratic mayoral candidate on Friday, praising Mamdani’s focus on “addressing the affordability crisis” and representing all New Yorkers.

CLINTON CAMPAIGN ALUM urges JEFFRIES and SCHUMER NOT to “take the bait” and not allow themselves to be “bullied” into supporting Mamdani

“I support the Democratic ticket,” Jeffries said.

Johnson told reporters on Monday Jeffries’ support represents the end of “what has always been known in America as the Democratic Party.”

Zohran Mamdanina has long received important support in the New York mayoral campaign

“After a months-long pressure campaign from the far left, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries finally caved. He gave in and supported the socialist candidacy for mayor of New York City. House Democrats have shown the world what they truly believe in. There is no longer room for centrists and moderates in their party,” Johnson added.

“He’s a Marxist,” Johnson claimed, while also criticizing his record.

“Zohran Mamdani is expected to take the helm of one of the world’s most important cities and the largest city in America, and he now has the full blessing of the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives. It is shocking, and that leader and all other Democrats will share the consequences of what they do to America’s largest city.”

Johnson asked reporters to ask House Democrats whether they agreed with Jeffries’ endorsement of the “Marxist agenda.”

“What we are witnessing is truly the end of the Democratic Party as we knew it,” Johnson warned.

And Johnson again accused Democrats on Monday of kowtowing to the “Marxists in their party.”

“Just as they decided to save their own skins by having to support the Marxist Mamdani in an unprecedented move, they also decided that they had to do it.” close the government This is an unprecedented move, no matter the pain it inflicts on the hardworking American people,” Johnson added.

Democrats have said they would not accept any federal funding bill that does not also include an extension of Obamacare subsidies which were expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic – but which are set to expire at the end of this year.

Republicans’ plan, a short-term extension of federal funding for fiscal year 2025, called a continuing resolution (CR), passed the House of Representatives on September 19 but has since stalled in the Senate.

Republicans have relentlessly blamed the Senate minority leader Chuck SchumerDN.Y., for shutting down the government to appease the progressive wing of the Democratic Party while Mamdani maintains the lead in the New York City mayoral race amid heated debate over the congressman. Alexandria Ocasio Cortezs political ambition.

Republicans have blamed Democrats Democrats warned that Republicans would be responsible for increasing health care costs for millions of Americans if expanded COVID-era subsidies expire.

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While Jeffries finally endorsed Mamdani on Friday, Schumer has not yet endorsed the Democratic socialist candidate.

As Axios reported last month Ocasio-Cortez is preparing to run for Schumer’s Senate seat or for the presidency in 2028, prompting Republicans to accuse Schumer of maintaining a red line in ongoing resolution (CR) negotiations to appease his party’s progressive wing.

Fox News Digital reached out to Jeffries and Johnson for comment but did not immediately receive a response.