On Tuesday, House Democrats formally elected New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries as their leader, uniting around a liberal lawyer and disciplined political tactician as the face of their opposition to the new Republican majority.

Mr Jeffries' ascension made history on a day otherwise dominated by uproarious squabbling among Republicans. He is the first Black politician to serve as the leader of either party in Congress, and&nbsp;at 52, he represents a generational shift for House Democrats after two decades under Nancy Pelosi.&nbsp;

Though&nbsp;Jeffries was defeated on Tuesday, now that House Democrats are in the minority in this Congress. But the Democrats were rejoicing&nbsp;for Jeffries, clearly having more fun than Republicans, whose first day in the House majority devolved into chaos with far-right members opposing McCarthy's bid for speaker. This nomination of Jeffries is seen as a dig at Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy as Democrats said that Jeffries does not "grovel" to former President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

<h2>Who is Hakeem Jeffries?</h2>

Laneda Jeffries, a social worker, and Marland Jeffries, a state substance-abuse counsellor, gave birth to Jeffries at Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York City. He grew up in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighbourhood.

Early life and education

In 1988, Jeffries graduated from Midwood High School and then went on to study political science at Binghamton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in 1992. During his time at Binghamton, he joined the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

Jeffries earned a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy in 1994. He then went to law school at New York University, where he was a member of the New York University Law Review and&nbsp;received his Juris Doctorate in 1997.

Political Career&nbsp;

Mr Jeffries, the son of civil servants, rose quickly through the ranks of Democratic politics in New York and then Washington, beginning as a litigator at a white-shoe law firm and then at CBS. He has represented some of the nation's most iconic Black neighbourhoods in Brooklyn since 2013. During his presidency, Trump established a national reputation as a scathing critic and impeachment prosecutor, while also working with Republicans to pass criminal justice reform legislation.

The big leap&nbsp;

Democrats have been grooming Mr Jeffries, the former chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, as a potential leader for several years. But it wasn't until Ms Pelosi decided to resign as speaker after last year's midterm elections. He then stepped forward, along with Mr Aguilar and Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark.

The future challenges&nbsp;in front of Mr Jeffries

People close to Mr Jeffries describe him as a calm strategist and communicator. He has become known in Washington for sticking to carefully worded statements. However, he faces a difficult task in taming an unruly and ideologically diverse Democratic caucus while attempting to blunt Republican attacks on the Biden administration and regaining the majority in 2024.

On Tuesday, House Democrats formally elected New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries as their leader, uniting around a liberal lawyer and disciplined political tactician as the face of their opposition to the new Republican majority.

On Tuesday, House Democrats formally elected New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries as their leader, uniting around a liberal lawyer and disciplined political tactician as the face of their opposition to the new Republican majority. Mr Jeffries' ascension made history on a day otherwise dominated by uproarious squabbling among Republicans. He is the first Black politician to serve as the leader of either party in Congress, and at 52, he represents a generational shift for House Democrats after two decades under Nancy Pelosi. Though Jeffries was defeated on Tuesday, now that House Democrats are in the minority in this Congress. But the Democrats were rejoicing for Jeffries, clearly having more fun than Republicans, whose first day in the House majority devolved into chaos with far-right members opposing McCarthy's bid for speaker. This nomination of Jeffries is seen as a dig at Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy as Democrats said that Jeffries does not "grovel" to former President Donald Trump. Who is Hakeem Jeffries? Laneda Jeffries, a social worker, and Marland Jeffries, a state substance-abuse counsellor, gave birth to Jeffries at Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York City. He grew up in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighbourhood. Early life and education In 1988, Jeffries graduated from Midwood High School and then went on to study political science at Binghamton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in 1992. During his time at Binghamton, he joined the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Jeffries earned a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy in 1994. He then went to law school at New York University, where he was a member of the New York University Law Review and received his Juris Doctorate in 1997. Political Career Mr Jeffries, the son of civil servants, rose quickly through the ranks of Democratic politics in New York and then Washington, beginning as a litigator at a white-shoe law firm and then at CBS. He has represented some of the nation's most iconic Black neighbourhoods in Brooklyn since 2013. During his presidency, Trump established a national reputation as a scathing critic and impeachment prosecutor, while also working with Republicans to pass criminal justice reform legislation. The big leap Democrats have been grooming Mr Jeffries, the former chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, as a potential leader for several years. But it wasn't until Ms Pelosi decided to resign as speaker after last year's midterm elections. He then stepped forward, along with Mr Aguilar and Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark. The future challenges in front of Mr Jeffries People close to Mr Jeffries describe him as a calm strategist and communicator. He has become known in Washington for sticking to carefully worded statements. However, he faces a difficult task in taming an unruly and ideologically diverse Democratic caucus while attempting to blunt Republican attacks on the Biden administration and regaining the majority in 2024.

Who is Hakeem Jeffries? The first black lawmaker nominee for house speaker, know everything about him

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries has been elected to succeed Nancy Pelosi as leader of the Democrats in the House next year. Jeffries will become the first Black American to head a major political party in the Congress. The decision taken on Wednesday at Capitol Hill was a closed door one and unanimous, by acclamation.

The internal Democratic caucus votes of Jeffries and the other top leaders faced no challengers. While Jeffries will be the Democratic minority leader in the new Congress, 59-year-old Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts is the Democratic whip and 43-year-old Rep. Pete Aguilar of California is caucus chairman.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/controversial-highlights-of-nancy-pelosis-tenure-as-democratic-leader-535223">Controversial highlights of Nancy Pelosi's tenure as Democratic leader</a>

The change marks a stark contrast &nbsp;in leadership who are all three decades younger than the older lot.&nbsp;Pelosi along with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Democratic Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina are stepping down from their roles. Jeffries had become the youngest member serving in leadership when he became the chairman of the Democratic caucus in 2019.&nbsp;

“It’s a solemn responsibility that we are all inheriting. And the best thing that we can do as a result of the seriousness and solemnity of the moment is lean in hard and do the best damn job that we can for the people," Jeffries had said a day before the meeting.

Meanwhile, Pelosi was designated “Speaker Emerita” in a unanimous vote by the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee Tuesday night. After leading the House Democrats for the past 20 years, Pelosi expressed confidence in the new leaders.&nbsp;

“A new day is dawning — and I am confident that these new leaders will capably lead our Caucus and the Congress,” Pelosi said.

The Democrats will be in minority in the new House next year, but the Democrats are expected to be in a better position as the Republicans &nbsp;are struggling to unite around GOP leader Kevin McCarthy as the new House speaker.

Jeffries was the House manager during Donald Trump’s first impeachment.

“We’re still working through the implications of Trumpism and what it has meant, as a very destabilizing force for American democracy," Jeffries said.

He further said that he hopes to “lead an effort that centers our communication strategy around the messaging principle that values unite, issues divide.”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Rep. Hakeem Jeffries has been elected to succeed Nancy Pelosi as leader of the Democrats in the House next year. Jeffries will become the first Black American to head a major political party in the Congress.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries has been elected to succeed Nancy Pelosi as leader of the Democrats in the House next year. Jeffries will become the first Black American to head a major political party in the Congress. The decision taken on Wednesday at Capitol Hill was a closed door one and unanimous, by acclamation. The internal Democratic caucus votes of Jeffries and the other top leaders faced no challengers. While Jeffries will be the Democratic minority leader in the new Congress, 59-year-old Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts is the Democratic whip and 43-year-old Rep. Pete Aguilar of California is caucus chairman. Also Read | Controversial highlights of Nancy Pelosi's tenure as Democratic leader The change marks a stark contrast in leadership who are all three decades younger than the older lot. Pelosi along with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Democratic Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina are stepping down from their roles. Jeffries had become the youngest member serving in leadership when he became the chairman of the Democratic caucus in 2019. “It’s a solemn responsibility that we are all inheriting. And the best thing that we can do as a result of the seriousness and solemnity of the moment is lean in hard and do the best damn job that we can for the people," Jeffries had said a day before the meeting. Meanwhile, Pelosi was designated “Speaker Emerita” in a unanimous vote by the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee Tuesday night. After leading the House Democrats for the past 20 years, Pelosi expressed confidence in the new leaders. “A new day is dawning — and I am confident that these new leaders will capably lead our Caucus and the Congress,” Pelosi said. The Democrats will be in minority in the new House next year, but the Democrats are expected to be in a better position as the Republicans are struggling to unite around GOP leader Kevin McCarthy as the new House speaker. Jeffries was the House manager during Donald Trump’s first impeachment. “We’re still working through the implications of Trumpism and what it has meant, as a very destabilizing force for American democracy," Jeffries said. He further said that he hopes to “lead an effort that centers our communication strategy around the messaging principle that values unite, issues divide.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Dems script history, elect Hakeem Jeffries as first black lawmaker to lead a party in Congress

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Who is Hakeem Jeffries? The first black lawmaker nominee for house speaker, know everything about him

Dems script history, elect Hakeem Jeffries as first black lawmaker to lead a party in Congress