A tweet from Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) about a high-profile trial is resurfacing as it appears he is a top contender to become House Democrats’ new leader.
On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) revealed her plans to step down from leadership but continue serving in the House.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) also shared he would not run for re-election to a leadership position either.
Their decisions could pave the way for Jeffries to become House Democrats’ new leader.
But shortly after Pelosi’s announcement, conservative strategist Greg Price resurfaced a tweet from Jeffries about the murder trial of Kyle Rittenhouse.
“Lock up Kyle Rittenhouse and throw away the key,” he tweeted on Nov. 10, 2021.
Ladies and gentlemen, the man who will probably be the next Democratic leader in the House. pic.twitter.com/uM611UKOmO
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) November 17, 2022
As of Thursday afternoon, the tweet was still visible.
Jeffrie’s post came over a week before the jury in Rittenhouse’s trial acquitted him on all charges.
Rittenhouse was charged with five felonies, including first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, attempted first-degree homicide, and two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety.
As CNN notes, “The charges stem from the chaotic unrest last year in the wake of the Kenosha police shooting of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man. After instances of rioting and fiery destruction, Rittenhouse, 17 at the time, took a medical kit and an AR-15-style rifle and joined up with a group of other armed people in Kenosha on August 25.”
“There, Rittenhouse fatally shot Joseph Rosenbaum – who was chasing the teenager and threw a plastic bag at him – and then tried to flee the area,” it continued. “A crowd of people pursued the teenager, and Rittenhouse shot at a man who tried to kick him; fatally shot Anthony Huber, who had hit him with a skateboard; and wounded Gaige Grosskreutz, who was armed with a pistol.”
Jeffries also raised doubts about the legitimacy of the 2016 election. In February 2018, he tweeted, “The more we learn about 2016 election the more ILLEGITIMATE it becomes. America deserves to know whether we have a FAKE President in the Oval Office.”
The more we learn about 2016 election the more ILLEGITIMATE it becomes. America deserves to know whether we have a FAKE President in the Oval Office #RussianInterference https://t.co/x3BHO5CPIm
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) February 16, 2018
While Jeffries is seen as a leading contender to be the next Democratic leader, Fox News notes, “In a House Democratic caucus that’s become increasingly progressive in recent years, Jeffries could very well face a challenge from his left flank.”
“The New York Democrat, however, also has a deep bench of support from the more than 50-member Congressional Black Caucus (CBC),” it added.
Other potential contenders to replace Pelosi include Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.).
