Jeffries, Kushner meet as midterms approach

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Jared Kushner, an advisor to former President Donald Trump, recently held a private meeting in New York City, a source confirmed to CBS News.

The discussion took place less than three months before the midterm elections, a critical period as Democrats seek to win a majority in the House. Jeffries is in line to become Speaker if the party achieves this goal. The meeting also occurs as Republicans, spearheaded by Trump, have characterized Democrats as representing "dangerous extremes."

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To stop the madness, we have repeatedly made clear that an extremist approach will not work and will be met with forceful opposition.

The New York Times first reported the meeting, which reportedly covered a wide range of topics including housing, immigration, and the cost of living. Both the White House and a spokesperson for Kushner did not immediately respond to requests for comment from CBS News. Jeffries, in a statement, did not confirm the meeting but criticized the Republican approach to governance.

"To stop the madness, we have repeatedly made clear that an extremist approach will not work and will be met with forceful opposition," Jeffries stated, referring to the Republican "my-way-or-the-highway approach to governing." House Speaker Mike Johnson stated he learned of the meeting through news reports and noted Kushner's independent interests outside of the current administration.

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I don't know what that's about. I know Jared has interests and lots of other things going on. He's not really directly involved in the admin, at least in the day-to-day in the White House.