Hakeem Jeffries hits back at Chris Van Hollen over comment for not endorsing Zohran Mamdani yet

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries clapped back at fellow Democrat Sen. Chris Van Hollen over the Maryland lawmaker’s criticism of the New Yorker’s reluctance to endorse New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani.

Mr. Jeffries told reporters following a press conference Tuesday that his spokesperson’s statement Tuesday, which referred to Mr. Van Hollen as “Chris Van Who,” spoke for itself.

Mr. Van Hollen stood before Iowa Democrats last weekend and blasted his party’s leadership as “spineless” for refusing to endorse Mr. Mamdani.

“The idea that everybody who works in New York City should be able to afford to live in New York City, and [Mr. Mamdani’s campaign] have mobilized to defeat” President Trump, the Maryland senator said.

“Yet, many Democratic members of the Senate and House representing New York have stayed on the sidelines. That kind of spineless politics is what people are sick of. They need to get behind him and get behind him now,” he said, adding “That should be our goal in New York City, Des Moines and every town and city and place across the United States of America.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s endorsement of Mr. Mamdani’s mayoral bid on Monday squeezed other top Democrats in New York City who are dragging their feet.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and Mr. Jeffries have yet to throw their support behind Mr. Mamdani, illustrating the lingering concerns that establishment Democrats, and some donors, have about the impact the 33-year-old socialist will have on New York City and the party’s overall brand.

“I met with him last week,” Mr. Schumer said Monday. “We had a good meeting. We know each other well, and we’re gonna keep talking.”

Mr. Schumer’s comments came a day after Ms. Hochul said in a New York Times op-ed that she came off the sidelines because Mr. Mamdani supports making the city safe for children, combating antisemitism, and making New York City more affordable.

Ms. Hochul also said she needs a partner in the city who is willing to set aside differences and resist Mr. Trump.

Although socialism is popular among Democrats, according to a CNN poll, it is a loser compared to capitalism among the broader electorate.

“The net popularity of socialism is up 29 pts since 2010 with Dems. Capitalism, however, has a net negative rating with Dems,” CNN pollster Harry Enten wrote on X “This should leave the GOP/Trump salivating as socialism remains unpopular overall.”

Republicans are delighted about the intra-party fighting happening among Democrats over Mr. Mamdani.