Mamdani’s Attempt to Hit Back at Johnson After He Declares Jeffries’ Endorsement the Death of Dems, Falls Flat on Impact [WATCH]

A political clash erupted Monday between House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani amid the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 27th day, as reported by Fox News.

The exchange followed House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ endorsement of Mamdani’s progressive campaign, prompting Johnson to call it “the clearest sign yet that this radical insurgent movement in the Democrat Party is succeeding.”

Speaking at his daily press briefing, Johnson said Jeffries’ decision marked a defining moment for his party.

“After a months-long pressure campaign from the far left, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries finally relented. He gave in, and he gave his endorsement to the socialist running to be mayor of New York City. The House Democrats, they’ve shown the world what they really believe. There is no longer a place for centrists and moderates in their party,” Johnson said.

Johnson also labeled Mamdani “a Marxist,” adding, “Zohran Mamdani is expected to take the helm of one of the most important cities in the world and the largest city in America, and he now has the full blessing of the Democrat leader in the House of Representatives. It is shocking, and that leader and all the other Democrats are going to co-own the consequences of what they do to America’s largest city.”

SPEAKER JOHNSON: “After a months-long pressure campaign from the far left, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries finally relented. He gave in, & he gave his endorsement to the socialist running to be mayor of New York City.” pic.twitter.com/eh7VHK8kXl

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) October 27, 2025

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Mamdani, speaking from Manhattan, dismissed Johnson’s remarks and accused Republicans of “seeking distractions” to cover for the effects of the federal shutdown.

“Speaker Johnson should be sitting members of Congress, as opposed to using his time to try and attack our campaign,” Mamdani said.

“But I understand if I was one of the leaders of the Republican Party that had led a campaign that promised Americans a lower cost of living and cheaper groceries, and all I could deliver for them was a government shutdown, then I, too, would be looking to distract in any way that I could from those lack of results.”

Jeffries, who represents Brooklyn in the U.S. House of Representatives, publicly endorsed Mamdani on Friday, praising his platform for “addressing the affordability crisis” and representing “all New Yorkers.” “I endorse the Democratic ticket,” Jeffries said.

Johnson urged reporters to press House Democrats on whether they agree with what he described as Jeffries’ “Marxist agenda,” declaring, “What we’re witnessing is truly the end of the Democratic Party, as we’ve known it.”

The shutdown remains at the center of the standoff. Democrats have said they will not support a federal funding bill unless it includes an extension of the enhanced Obamacare subsidies enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which are set to expire at the end of the year.

Republicans’ short-term continuing resolution (CR) to extend FY2025 funding passed the House on September 19 but stalled in the Senate.

Republicans have blamed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for blocking the resolution to appease progressives, including Mamdani’s faction and allies of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who is reportedly weighing a run for Schumer’s Senate seat or a 2028 presidential campaign.

While Jeffries has now thrown his support behind Mamdani, Schumer has yet to do so. Fox News Digital reached out to both Jeffries and Johnson for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

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