Jeffries Vows Democrats Won't Give 'a Dime' to Trump's Deportation Push

House Democrats are threatening to cut off money for President Donald Trump's deportation efforts as they prepare to take control of the chamber in January.

At a press conference Monday in Washington, reported by Fox News, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats were "not going to give a dime" to the administration's deportation operation, which he called a "violent mass deportation machine."

Jeffries said voters "clearly and decisively rejected MAGA extremism on Tuesday and voted for dramatic change."

He argued that taxpayer money should be used to make life more affordable and accused the administration of using taxpayer dollars to "brutalize or kill American citizens" and target immigrant families.

READ MORE: Jeffries Says He's a 'Hard Yes' on Impeaching Hegseth as Massie Readies Vote

Few Details on Funding

Jeffries did not say which spending bills his caucus would oppose or which funding lines it would try to cut. Because Congress controls federal spending, Democrats can use budget negotiations to press for limits on immigration enforcement money.

The pledge puts funding for the removal of people without legal status at the center of the fight that will open when the new Congress begins.

Push for a Path to Citizenship

Jeffries paired the threat with a push for the American Dream and Promise Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for eligible Dreamers and people with Temporary Protected Status.

Dreamers generally refers to immigrants brought to the United States as children. Temporary Protected Status lets eligible people from designated countries stay in the U.S. temporarily and seek work authorization.

Jeffries said Democrats need just one more Republican signature on a discharge petition to force a House vote on the bill. A discharge petition lets lawmakers bring legislation to the floor when leaders refuse to schedule it, though Democrats would still need enough votes to pass it.

He also backed a ban on stock trading by members of Congress, presenting it as a way to restore public trust.

READ MORE: Hakeem Jeffries Blasts Stephen Miller After Trump Names Him White House Chief of Staff

Jeffries has also said Democrats will use their first 100 days to go after costs for housing, groceries, gas and healthcare, end the Iran war, stop Trump's tariffs and reverse cuts to Medicaid and food assistance. Robert Garcia, the likely next chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has already warned the administration to "lawyer up."

Hegseth and the Iran War

Jeffries repeated his support for impeaching Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. "I'm a hard yes, as I've made clear, on the impeachment resolution," he said.

He accused Hegseth of abusing power and undermining national security, called the Iran conflict a "failed war of choice" and blamed it for higher gas prices. "Iran is stronger now than they were before," Jeffries said. The House later blocked the impeachment resolution in a 211-204 vote.

Trump has said he intends to keep Hegseth and that the secretary has "done a fantastic job." Hegseth has dismissed the effort as "the politics of personal destruction."

Jeffries made his case ahead of a Wednesday leadership vote seen as a test of his support inside the Democratic caucus. Progressive members have criticized him, and he said he planned to speak with every member before the vote.