Hakeem Jeffries Gets Embarrassed Live on CNN by Liberal Host Dana Bash [WATCH]

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) faced an unexpected exchange during an interview on CNN Tuesday when anchor Dana Bash pressed him to personally engage with House Speaker Mike Johnson amid the ongoing government shutdown that began on October 1.

The shutdown, now in its second week, took effect at 12:01 a.m. after two separate measures to fund the government failed in the Senate. Both proposals required 60 votes to pass.

The GOP-backed measure, which included temporary funding to keep government operations open, fell short in a 55-45 vote, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) joining Democrats in opposition.

Democrats have remained firm against any continuing resolution that excludes provisions for healthcare benefits for illegal aliens and other domestic funding priorities.

Meanwhile, Republicans have accused Senate Democrats and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of prolonging the shutdown by prioritizing political objectives over maintaining government functions.

During his CNN appearance, Jeffries sought to place responsibility for the shutdown on House Republicans and President Donald Trump, claiming they had refused to engage in bipartisan discussions.

However, Bash pushed back against his characterization and offered a direct challenge.

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“You’re right down the hall from Mike Johnson’s office,” Bash said during the exchange.

“I know exactly where you are. You could probably take a few steps, knock on the door, and talk to him. Have you tried that?”

Jeffries responded, “Speaker Johnson hasn’t been given permission to have a conversation with me or Leader Schumer. And he said as much earlier today.”

Bash continued to press, asking whether Jeffries believed Johnson would refuse to meet if approached directly.

Jeffries replied, “We could have a conversation, but the problem is that unless they get the green light to have a meaningful discussion to find common ground, any conversation is not going to be fruitful.”

Jeffries acknowledged that no direct meetings or discussions have taken place between House leadership from either party since the shutdown began.

“We’ve had no meetings, no discussions. Donald Trump has held them back from having even a meaningful engagement,” he said.

🚨 WOW! CNN just CALLED OUT Hakeem Jeffries to his face on the government shutdown in a brutal moment

CNN: You’re right down the hall from Mike Johnson’s office. I know EXACTLY where you are. You could probably take a few steps, knock on the door and talk to him. Have you tried… pic.twitter.com/qYNHDt8F6G

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 14, 2025

Bash’s challenge highlighted growing frustration in Washington over the lack of progress toward reopening the government.

Lawmakers from both chambers have continued to introduce funding measures, but partisan disagreements have prevented any from advancing.

Republicans have accused Democratic leaders of using the shutdown to gain political leverage, citing the party’s insistence on including funding for programs unrelated to basic government operations. Democrats, in turn, have accused Republicans of submitting proposals that exclude key social and immigration provisions they consider nonnegotiable.

As negotiations remain stalled, federal employees and service members are bracing for delayed paychecks, while several agencies have reduced operations.

President Trump’s administration has authorized temporary measures to ensure that military personnel continue to receive pay.

The on-air exchange between Jeffries and Bash quickly gained attention on social media, with clips circulating widely across political channels.

Viewers from both sides of the aisle commented on the unusual moment when a CNN anchor pressed a Democratic leader to take direct action rather than assigning blame.

As of Tuesday evening, no additional meetings between congressional leaders had been scheduled.

Speaker Johnson’s office has not issued a public response to Jeffries’s remarks or Bash’s comments.

The current impasse marks one of the most visible political standoffs since the start of the fiscal year, with both parties facing increasing public scrutiny as the shutdown continues without a clear resolution.