Days after yet another apparent attempt on President Donald Trump’s life, he’s been joined by fellow Republicans (and rational Americans of all political affiliations) in condemning the violent rhetoric that has fueled such political extremism. But if there was any question about whether the incendiary remarks are representative of the Democratic Party’s leadership, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is working hard to clear up the confusion. After receiving backlash for his recent remarks about “maximum warfare” against political rivals, Jeffries lashed out at one of his most prominent critics, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Fox News covered the exchange: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., doubled down on his inflammatory rhetoric toward Republicans during a fiery news conference Monday, telling critics, “I don’t give a damn.” “I stand by it,” Jeffries told reporters, when asked about his vow last week to unleash “maximum warfare” on the GOP to counter the party’s redistricting efforts ahead of November’s midterm elections. “You can continue to criticize me for it. I don’t give a damn about your criticism.” Jeffries’ messaging sparked backlash from Republicans following the third apparent assassination attempt on President Donald Trump’s life at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner Saturday. His diatribe went on to take aim at Leavitt: Jeffries also had harsh words for White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who he labeled a “disgrace” and a “stone-cold liar” after she criticized Democrats’ rhetoric that frequently labels Trump as an existential threat. “This so-called White House press secretary wants to lecture America and lecture us about civility. Get lost,” Jeffries said. “Clean up your own house before you have anything to say to us about the language that we use.” Leavitt’s condemnation of the left’s violent rhetoric clearly resonated with many on social media, though: .@PressSec Karoline Leavitt: "This is the third major assassination attempt against President Trump in two years. No other president in history has faced such serious repeated attempts on his life." pic.twitter.com/Wj7uG2KELm — CSPAN (@cspan) April 27, 2026 The left has always been violent, since the French revolution they have shown the same violent behaviour. The communist Russians and German Nazis; both left wing both violent. — Tickerade (@tickerade) April 27, 2026 @ABC What are you going to do to hold @Jimmy Kimmel responsible for his disgusting comments regarding Melania Trump the night before the shooting? Any moral American- no matter their political persuasion, should be outraged. — Tricia Duke (@DukeTricia) April 27, 2026 The Hill also reported on Jeffries’ reaction: “She had the nerve to stand up there and read talking points being critical of statements all taken out of context that Democrats have made and didn’t have a word to say about anything that MAGA extremists have said or done, including providing aid and comfort to violent insurrectionists here at this capital on January 6th who brutally beat police officers,” he added. During a Monday briefing at the White House, Leavitt called out a number of high profile Democrats over their past rhetoric in the wake of the shooting, where a gunman targeted President Trump and other administration officials at the the annual gala in Washington. She pointed to remarks made by Jeffries last week, when he said Republicans would be targeted with “maximum warfare” if they proceed with redistricting efforts in Florida. Here’s a clip of a relevant segment of Jeffries’ press conference: .@RepJeffries bashing WH Press Secy.: "How can we take them seriously when they raise these partisan attacks? This so called White House Press Secretary wants to lecture America, and lecture us? Get lost, clean up your own house." pic.twitter.com/DLyAonzG9l — CSPAN (@cspan) April 27, 2026