Hakeem Jeffries poised to become first Black U.S. House speaker

Summary

Democrat Hakeem Jeffries is poised to become speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and would be its first Black speaker. Al Jazeera reports that he faces pressure from progressives over Trump and Israel. The New York Times describes him as a reserved moderate whom activists on the left see as too timid to take on President Trump; he says he is “strongly positioned” to get things done and is promising a bold agenda.

Timeline

1. Al Jazeera

   7 Nov 2026, 13:50 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that Jeffries is likely to become the first Black House speaker and faces pressure from progressives over Trump and Israel.

2. The New York Times

   8 Nov 2026, 10:00 UTCSource ↗

   The New York Times reports that Jeffries, in line to become the first Black House speaker, is a reserved moderate whom activists on the left see as too timid to take on President Trump, and that he says he is “strongly positioned” to get things done.