Hakeem Jeffries Accuses Trump and GOP of Failing to Address Rising Cost of Living

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) criticized former President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans for failing to follow through on promises to lower the cost of living for Americans.

Speaking in an interview on ABC News’s This Week on Sunday, Jeffries argued that the GOP has ignored economic concerns despite making them a central campaign issue.

“Donald Trump and Republicans consistently promised that they were going to lower the high cost of living, and they’ve done the exact opposite,” Jeffries said. “They’ve shown no interest in lowering costs in the United States of America, which are too high.”

He pointed to essential expenses that have continued to climb, blaming the administration for failing to take action.

“Housing costs are too high. Grocery costs are too high. Child care costs are too high. Utility costs are too high. The cost of living is too high in the United States of America,” Jeffries said.

“This country is too expensive. But they’ve broken their promise. They have no interest in improving the quality of life of hardworking American taxpayers.”

The Biden administration has repeatedly clashed with Republican lawmakers over economic policy, particularly on inflation, tax cuts, and corporate regulations.

Jeffries emphasized that Democrats will resist efforts to pass tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy and major corporations, arguing that such measures do little to help middle-class and working-class families.

“We will continue to push back forcefully against their attempts to cut taxes for their billionaire donors and wealthy corporations,” Jeffries stated.

The debate over economic policy comes as inflation concerns persist across the country. While some analysts suggest inflation has slowed compared to previous years, many Americans continue to feel the pressure of rising costs, particularly in housing, food, and everyday necessities.

During the interview, ABC News’s Jonathan Karl questioned Jeffries about recent polling data that indicates Trump’s favorability rating is higher now than during his first term. He also referenced several policy proposals from Trump that have gained significant approval among voters.

Jeffries dismissed these polls as premature, arguing that Trump has failed to deliver on his central economic promises.

“Let me say, as it relates to all those issues, we’re just at the beginning,” Jeffries said. “And the core promise that Donald Trump made is that he’s going to lower costs for everyday Americans. In fact, we were told that grocery prices would go down on day one, on Jan. 20th.”

He then pointed to ongoing inflation and surging grocery prices as proof that Trump’s economic policies are ineffective.

“Costs aren’t lower. In fact, costs are increasing,” Jeffries said. “The price of eggs is skyrocketing out of control. Inflation is on the way up. That was the core promise that’s been broken.”

Jeffries’s remarks reflect broader Democratic concerns about the economic direction of the country under Trump’s leadership. While the GOP has emphasized tax cuts and deregulation as solutions to rising costs, Democrats argue that these policies disproportionately benefit the wealthy while leaving average Americans behind.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) quickly responded to Jeffries’s comments, dismissing them as political rhetoric. NRCC Spokesman Mike Marinella issued a statement condemning the Democratic Party’s economic record and accusing Jeffries of hypocrisy.

“The Democrat Party has spent the past four years dumping fuel on the blaze they ignited, and now their top arsonist Hakeem Jeffries wants to lecture us on fire safety,” Marinella said.

Republicans have pointed to Democratic policies, including government spending and regulatory measures, as contributing factors to inflation and rising costs. They argue that the Biden administration’s handling of the economy has worsened financial struggles for many Americans.

The economic debate is expected to be a major issue in the upcoming election, with both parties vying to convince voters that their policies will provide relief from financial pressures.

While Democrats stress the need for targeted economic relief, investments in infrastructure, and worker protections, Republicans continue to advocate for lower taxes, reduced regulations, and free-market approaches.

As inflation and cost-of-living concerns dominate political discourse, the clash between both parties over economic policy is set to intensify in the months ahead.

Voters will ultimately decide which approach they believe will best address the financial burdens they continue to face.