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Hakeem Jeffries: “Pete Hegseth [is] the most unqualified Secretary of Defense…”

Featuring: Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic | U.S. House New York, 8th Congressional District

Leader Jeffries Delivers Opening Remarks at NAN's National Convention

Published April 9, 2026 | Video Starts at 03:53

Not trying to celebrate merit, they're trying to elevate mediocrity. Here's how we know that's the case. Just look at who they put in charge of the attack on dei. Pete Hegseth [is] the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in American history. You don't have the standing to lecture anyone. This guy can't organize a two car funeral. He was a Fox News host and now he's the Secretary of Defense. (03:53–09:29)

CLAIM

Asserts that Pete Hegseth is the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in U.S. history.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

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Hakeem Jeffries

“This president has failed the American people in so many different ways.”
Leader Jeffries Delivers Opening Remarks at NAN's National Convention | Uploaded April 9, 2026 | 04:07-04:13
“Refuses to spend a dime to make life more affordable for you, but is spending billions of dollars to drop bombs in a reckless war of choice…”
Leader Jeffries Delivers Opening Remarks at NAN's National Convention | Uploaded April 9, 2026 | 04:13-04:25
“He promised that he would lower the high cost of living on day one. We know costs haven't gone down in this country.”
Leader Jeffries Delivers Opening Remarks at NAN's National Convention | Uploaded April 9, 2026 | 04:29-04:35
“Housing costs out of control. Health care costs out of control. Utility bills out of control. Gas prices skyrocketing because of this…”
Leader Jeffries Delivers Opening Remarks at NAN's National Convention | Uploaded April 9, 2026 | 04:37-04:53
“That good retirement means making sure that these extremists keep their hands off your Social Security and your Medicare at all times.”
Leader Jeffries Delivers Opening Remarks at NAN's National Convention | Uploaded April 9, 2026 | 05:26-05:36
“The extremists have a very different vision as to where they're trying to take this country at this time.”
Leader Jeffries Delivers Opening Remarks at NAN's National Convention | Uploaded April 9, 2026 | 06:00-06:09
“The extremists are trying to turn back the clock.”
Leader Jeffries Delivers Opening Remarks at NAN's National Convention | Uploaded April 9, 2026 | 06:11-06:14
“The extremists want to erase our history. But let's be clear. Black history is American history. We will never let them erase it.”
Leader Jeffries Delivers Opening Remarks at NAN's National Convention | Uploaded April 9, 2026 | 06:24-06:34
“We've been here since 1619. That's before America was America.”
Leader Jeffries Delivers Opening Remarks at NAN's National Convention | Uploaded April 9, 2026 | 06:34-06:40
“The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution contains the Equal Protection Clause.”
Leader Jeffries Delivers Opening Remarks at NAN's National Convention | Uploaded April 9, 2026 | 07:40-07:46
“We're going to work...to end this failed, reckless, costly war of choice in Iran.”
Leader Jeffries Delivers Opening Remarks at NAN's National Convention | Uploaded April 9, 2026 | 12:04-12:23
“We're going to work as hard as we can to lower the high cost of living.”
Leader Jeffries Delivers Opening Remarks at NAN's National Convention | Uploaded April 9, 2026 | 12:04-12:09
“We're going to work...to fix our broken health care system.”
Leader Jeffries Delivers Opening Remarks at NAN's National Convention | Uploaded April 9, 2026 | 12:04-12:12
“One of the first things that we'll do...is to pass the John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.”
Leader Jeffries Delivers Opening Remarks at NAN's National Convention | Uploaded April 9, 2026 | 12:35-12:46