WATCH: Hakeem Jeffries Angrily Snaps On Fox News Reporter: ‘Do Not Characterize My Remarks’

The fractures within the Democratic Party are growing wider, as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) lashed out at a Fox News reporter when pressed about Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) leadership.

“Do not characterize my remarks. I’m not afraid about anything,” Jeffries snapped at Fox News congressional correspondent Chad Pergram after being asked whether he opposed Schumer’s handling of the latest government funding fight.

“But you went to another question twice!” Pergram countered.

“I said I was very clear that we look forward to working with every single one of our Senate Democratic colleagues—every single one of them—to push back against the Trump administration.”

WATCH:

BREAKING: The Democrat infighting is getting so bad that Hakeem Jeffries is now getting testy with reporters who just want to know if he opposes Chuck Schumer’s leadership.

“Do *not* characterize my remarks. I’m not afraid about ANYTHING.”pic.twitter.com/JkEMcFnzCv

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 14, 2025

Jeffries’ outburst comes as tensions escalate within the Democratic Party over a government spending bill, with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) openly rebuking Schumer’s approach.

Jeffries added to the speculation surrounding Schumer’s weakening position earlier Friday when he refused to answer whether it was time for “new leadership in the Senate.”

Instead, he deflected, saying, “Next question.”

Pelosi took to social media Friday morning to voice her disapproval, urging Senate Democrats to reject Schumer’s plan and instead push for an alternative proposal backed by House Democrats.

“I salute Leader Hakeem Jeffries for his courageous rejection of this false choice, and I am proud of my colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus for their overwhelming vote against this bill,” Pelosi wrote. “Democratic senators should listen to the women.”

Her statement praised House Appropriations Committee ranking member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), who have advocated for a four-week stopgap funding extension rather than Schumer’s compromise with Senate Republicans.

On Friday afternoon, the Senate passed the stopgap funding bill just before the midnight deadline, ensuring government operations continue uninterrupted. The bill received a 54-46 vote, with ten Democrats, including Minority Leader Schumer, joining Republicans to advance the measure.

The funding measure includes a $6 billion increase in military spending and a $13 billion reduction in non-defense discretionary spending. It also reallocates $20.2 billion away from the Internal Revenue Service, effectively reversing previous enforcement boosts. Additionally, the bill mandates over $1 billion in cuts to Washington, D.C.’s budget according to The Wall Street Journal.

Despite the internal party tensions, the passage of the funding bill has provided a sense of relief in financial markets.