Democrats may have secured majorities in both chambers of Congress in what was described as a “blue tsunami,” but the party quickly became embroiled in a bitter internal contest over who should become the next Speaker of the House.
New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries announced his bid for the role on Wednesday, only to face immediate resistance. Nearly 400,000 liberals have signed an online petition arguing that he is “not the right choice.”
“We believe the Speaker should represent Democratic voters, not simply the Democratic establishment,” the petition states.
It calls on House Democrats to scrutinize Jeffries’ public record, policy views, campaign donors and leadership record, while also listening to constituents who oppose elevating him to the speakership.
The appeal argues that other House Democrats still have time to enter the race and seek the nomination—particularly candidates whose priorities more closely match those of the voters who helped deliver the party’s majority.
More than 370,000 signatories said they were urging every member of the incoming 120th Congress to reject Jeffries in the January 2027 vote and select another candidate.
The petition also encouraged Democrats who believe they could better represent the party’s voters to put themselves forward.
Left-wing actor Mark Ruffalo helped amplify the campaign, telling his 7.8 million followers to sign the petition if they wanted a new Speaker of the House.
New York Democrat Hakeem Jeffries announced his campaign for Speaker of the House on Wednesday
Actor Mark Ruffalo promoted a petition calling on House Democrats to reject Jeffries as their next Speaker
Many of the liberals backing the petition criticized Jeffries as an establishment Democrat and objected to his support for Israel.
“Can we please learn from past mistakes and move beyond corporate, centrist and greedy politicians who take us straight back to Republican leadership?” one supporter wrote.
The signatory added: “No on [Senator Chuck] Schumer. No on Jeffries. No on [former House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi. No on the status quo.”
“We need progressive, swift and concise leadership. Get it done, and get it done fast—I’m talking [New York City Mayor Zohran] Mamdani-style and nothing less,” the commenter wrote.
Another supporter said voters had turned out for Democrats and now expected the lawmakers they elected to do more than “whine and talk.”
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A second critic demanded “no more establishment speakers,” while another argued that the Speaker should be someone willing to confront MAGA opponents rather than cooperate with them.
Jeffries, however, showed no sign of backing down. He formally declared his candidacy for Speaker on Wednesday evening.
In announcing his campaign, he praised the work Democrats had carried out under his leadership, saying the party had “forcefully stood up for the American people and charted a path for dramatic change.”
Jeffries pointed to what he described as the party’s “first-of-its-kind litigation task force” challenging the Trump Administration in court. He said the effort helped secure important rulings upholding birthright citizenship, protecting voting by mail and blocking the President from unilaterally deploying the National Guard to intimidate Americans.
He also said Democrats had led efforts to demand transparency and accountability over the so-called Epstein files. In addition, he claimed the House minority had “decisively won” the healthcare fight surrounding the 43-day government shutdown, paving the way for the House to approve a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits over Republican leaders’ objections.
Jeffries further claimed that Democrats had strongly opposed what he called a reckless and costly war of choice in Iran—one he said had driven up gas prices while weakening national security.
“Against all odds, House Democrats were consistently successful in the minority,” the New York congressman said.
He said the party must now deliver the dramatic change voters were demanding as Democrats take control, with a focus on affordability, accountability and a return to “classic American values” including liberty and justice for all, equal protection under the law, the unrestricted right to vote in a representative democracy and the country’s heritage as a nation of immigrants.
With Democrats taking control of both chambers, Trump will enter a “lame duck” period during his final two years in office, leaving his policy agenda vulnerable to congressional opposition
Democratic control of both chambers would put Trump into a “lame duck” period during the final two years of his presidency, giving lawmakers the power to block much of his legislative agenda.
Rather than relying on Congress to pass new laws, the President would have to use executive orders in areas where he retains authority—including tariffs, immigration, foreign policy and military action—and deploy his veto to prevent Democratic measures from becoming law.
He would also face Democrat-led investigations into his conduct, allies and family, with the possibility that lawmakers could pursue impeachment for a third time.
Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia, who is expected to oversee some of those investigations as chairman of the House Oversight Committee, issued a direct warning to Trump and his allies: “Lawyer up.”
Our News Outlet has contacted Jeffries for comment.
