Report: Jared Kushner and Democratic leader Jeffries meet with House control at stake in November

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and President Donald Trump's son-in-law and outside adviser Jared Kushner met privately recently in New York, a signal that the White House is seeking ways to work with Democrats if they wrest majority control from Republicans in the midterm elections.

The meeting, first reported Sunday by The New York Times, touched on issues ranging from housing, immigration to the high costs of living. People in the United States are struggling under inflationary prices that Democrats blame on Republicans, alongside Trump, for failing to get under control.

Kushner suggested that Jeffries, who is in line to become House speaker if Democrats regain power in November, meet with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles as a follow-up.

Jeffries, in a statement Sunday, did not mention the private conversation but said the Republican administration needed to drop the GOP's "my-way-or-the-highway" approach. "The question is whether Republicans will join us," the New York congressman said regarding stopping what he described as an extremist approach to governing.

The meeting shows the depth of Republican Party angst over losing their congressional majority, particularly the House, and the need to make inroads with the opposing party as the White House seeks to stem any potential political fallout on the president.

If Democrats retake power, the White House can expect an aggressive oversight agenda into what Jeffries has called the administration's problems, with the threat of impeachment among the many tools at the party's disposal.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a close ally of Trump, bristled Sunday when asked about the meeting. He minimized Kushner's role, telling Fox News Channel: "I know Jared has interests in lots of other things going on."

Johnson stated: "I'm telling you what, you better not bet against the House Republicans," adding that he doesn't believe Democrats will regain control in November.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment. A representative for Kushner also did not respond.

Jeffries and Kushner are not strangers. The New Yorkers allied during the first Trump administration on landmark legislation allowing sentencing flexibility for certain drug offenses as a way to curtail lengthy prison terms in the federal system.

While not necessarily close, the two have maintained a relationship despite repeated attacks Trump has leveled against Jeffries and the Democratic leader's responses. In Trump's second term, Kushner has an outsized role despite having no formal position in the White House. He serves as an outside adviser and envoy, particularly shuttling to foreign diplomatic missions.

Trump has only met with Jeffries once since the president returned to the White House, taunting the House leader and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer with red "Make America Great Again" 2028 caps on the desk in front of them in the Oval Office.

House Republicans are counting on Trump's popularity among their core voters as they struggle to hold onto majority control. Control will likely be won or lost in a handful of battleground districts as Democrats put forward candidates, hoping to repeat 2018 when they swept to power riding voter unrest during Trump's first term.

While the House is most at risk for Republicans this year, the narrowly split Senate is also increasingly in play. GOP strategists worry about an enthusiasm gap on their side as Democrats appear more eager to head to the polls.