Democrats reclaim US House: Hakeem Jeffries set to become first African American House Speaker

For Hakeem Jeffries, the next few weeks could lead to a place in American political history. The New York Democrat is poised to become the first African American Speaker of the US House of Representatives after his party's projected victory in the 2026 midterm elections.

Democrats have been projected to regain control of the House, dealing a significant setback to President Donald Trump and his Republican allies. CBS News projected that the party had won the chamber, while Reuters reported that US media had called the race in Democrats' favour. The result ends the Republican hold on the House that began in 2023 and gives Democrats a chance to reshape the political battle in Washington.

Jeffries, 56, has led House Democrats as minority leader since 2023. But the historic milestone is not automatic. He must first secure his party's nomination and then win the support of a majority of lawmakers when the new Congress convenes in January.

Hakeem Jeffries could become the first Black US House Speaker

The significance of Jeffries' potential elevation goes beyond party politics. No African American has previously held the Speaker's gavel, one of the most powerful positions in the US government and second in the presidential line of succession.

Jeffries represents New York's Eighth Congressional District, which includes parts of Brooklyn. The district has a civil rights legacy: parts of the area were once represented by Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the US Congress.

The Washington Post, in a profile published before the election, described Jeffries as the likely choice for Speaker if Democrats regained the chamber. His rise through the party has been built on consensus-building and his ability to hold together a diverse Democratic caucus.

Speaking to reporters in Washington on Tuesday night, Jeffries cautioned against declaring victory before the count was complete. "We're going to continue to run through the finish line," he said, according to CBS News. He also pointed to strong early voting and turnout across Democratic, Republican and swing-state regions.

What a Democratic House victory means for Donald Trump

A Democratic majority would give the party considerably more power to scrutinise the Trump administration. As Speaker, Jeffries would influence which bills reach the House floor, oversee committee priorities and help determine the direction of congressional investigations.

That could mean tougher oversight of the White House, closer examination of executive decisions and resistance to parts of Trump's legislative agenda. The shift would be especially significant during the final two years of his term, when the administration would have to negotiate with a House controlled by the opposition.

However, a House majority does not give Democrats a free hand. Legislation would still need to clear the Senate, where the balance of power and the support required for individual bills remain crucial. The party's ability to translate its electoral gains into policy will depend on negotiations across both chambers.

When will Hakeem Jeffries become Speaker of the House?

The next major step comes in January. The new Congress is scheduled to convene on January 3, 2027, when members will elect the Speaker. Jeffries will need the backing of a majority of those voting.

For now, the projected Democratic victory has brought him closer than any Black lawmaker has come to holding the office. But the final test will take place inside the House itself. If his colleagues give him the votes, Jeffries will not simply become the leader of a newly empowered Democratic majority; he will break a historic racial barrier in the US Congress.

(With inputs from ANI)