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The Situation Room
Growing Bipartisan Backlash to Jeffries-Kushner Meeting; U.S.- Canada Tensions Heat Up as Trade War Escalates. Aired 10-10:30a ET
Aired August 25, 2026 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now, quote, no one is getting a pass, end quote.
The House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, is strongly defending a secret meeting with the president's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner. What did they accomplish? Jeffries is live here in The Situation Room to answer that question.
Plus, bring it on. The U.S.-Canada trade war escalates big time between President Trump and Ontario's Premier Doug Ford. Ford says everything is on the table, including cutting power to several U.S. states. How far is he willing to go? He also joins me live in The Situation Room this hour.
Rapid flames, extreme heat and winds are fueling wildfires in Texas and Nevada, one of them spreading at a rate of 35 football fields every minute.
And a beef over America's beef. Cattle farmers are questioning the president's America first priorities after he announces a plan to allow more beef imports to help lower prices.
Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer. Pamela Brown is on assignment. You're in The Situation Room.
Happening now, there's growing bipartisan backlash after The New York Times and CNN reported that President Trump's son-in-law and close adviser, Jared Kushner, recently met with the top House Democrat, Hakeem Jeffries. Some conservatives are criticizing the move as an acknowledgement from Trump world that it will likely have to govern with a Democratic-controlled House of Representatives after the midterm elections on November 3rd.
Progressives, meanwhile, are chiding Jeffries' decision to work with Kushner rather than refusing to engage with the Trump administration.
Joining us now to discuss this and more in an exclusive interview is the House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Leader Jeffries, thank you so much for joining us.
Can you explain what was the specific objective of this meeting you had with Jared Kushner in New York?
REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): Well, good morning, Wolf. Great to be with you. And as we've repeatedly indicated as House Democrats from the beginning of this Congress we're committed to pushing back against the extremism that has been unleashed on the American people every day, every week, every month, year after year, until we can end this national nightmare.
At the same period of time, of course, we have a responsibility to solve problems, and sometimes that means meeting with people on the other side of the aisle to figure out what the opportunities will be in order to address the things that the American people definitively want us to address, which, from our standpoint, is the reality that the cost of living in this country is way too high.
Far too many people are working hard, they're playing by the rules, they can't thrive, and they can barely survive. That's not an acceptable situation, and we've got to address that affordability crisis, which is not a hoax. It's very real. I hear about it every day here in Brooklyn and across the country, and we're determined to do something about it.
BLITZER: So, did you accomplish anything specific during this meeting with Kushner?
JEFFRIES: No, it was just a high-level topical conversation, particularly focused on affordability, as well as the housing bill that was recently passed and enacted into law as a foundation for the type of thing that perhaps can be built upon moving forward.
By the way, that housing affordability bill that ultimately became law, notwithstanding the president's refusal to sign it was driven by the strong leadership of Maxine Waters on the House side and Senator Elizabeth Warren on the Senate side of the Capitol because Democrats are committed to getting things done whenever and wherever possible.
At the same period of time, as I've mentioned, nobody's getting a pass because we're determined to make sure, beginning on day one, that we hold every single member of the Trump cartel accountable, beginning on day one.
[10:05:06]
BLITZER: Well, beginning on day one, you mean if the Democrats become the majority in the House of Representatives, and you potentially could be the speaker, is that what you're suggesting? On day one of that event, you will begin to hold everyone in the Trump cartel, your words, accountable?
JEFFRIES: Well, what I'm suggesting is that if folks have been short- changing the American people, screwing over the American people, or stealing from the American people, yes. Our commitment very publicly is that we're going to hold the crooks accountable. We're going to follow the facts, we're going to apply the law, and we're going to be guided by the Constitution. Now, that work is going to be led by Jamie Raskin and House committee Democrats on the Judiciary Committee, as well as Robert Garcia, who's also doing a tremendous job, and Democrats on the Oversight Committee.
But let's be clear about something. Our commitment to the American people has been we're going to fight to make life more affordable. We recognize that the cost of living is out of control. And we need to lower the cost of groceries, lower the cost of gas, lower the cost of housing.
We're also going to fight to make healthcare affordable for every single American because we recognize that in this great country, access to high-quality, affordable healthcare can't simply be a privilege, available only to the wealthy, the well-off, and the well- connected. It's got to be a right available to everyone. That's a principle that unites Democrats all across the ideological spectrum.
BLITZER: Do you have any plans, at least right now, to start meeting with the White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, or even President Trump himself before the midterm elections in November?
JEFFRIES: Well, that depends on what legislative business may be in front of us as it relates to the things that need to be done for the American people prior to the midterms. I haven't frequently engaged with Susie Wiles though we'll see what happens as we move forward in that regard.
And, of course, Leader Schumer and myself had one high-profile meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office in advance of the 43-day government shutdown, which, by the way, occurred because Democrats have made clear we're not going to support partisan Republican spending bills in that instance that gutted the healthcare of the American people.
And we're going to continue to battle them on tariffs, as we've done, battle them on Medicaid, battle them on the Affordable Care Act, battle them on Epstein, battle them on ICE funding, battle them on the reckless and costly war of choice in the Middle East, and, of course, battle them on the unprecedented corruption that has been unleashed on everyday Americans.
But as I travel the country, Wolf, I also know that the American people want us in Washington to solve problems. And I'm not simply here to make a point but I'm also here to make a difference. And we have a commitment to the American people to make a difference in their lives so that they can live an affordable life, a comfortable life, and live a good life, which we know what that should look like. It's a good-paying job, good housing, good healthcare, good education for your children. And when it's all said and done, a good retirement.
BLITZER: I know you've argued that Democrats can indeed address the issue of affordability, that crisis that's unfolding, and take on President Trump's tariffs while simultaneously conducting oversight of this Trump administration.
Let's watch what you said in a video posted on social media just yesterday. Listen to this.
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JEFFRIES: No one is going to get a pass. We're going to hold every single member of the Trump cartel accountable beginning on day one.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: So, what exactly does it mean, and what do you suggest it means when you use the phrase, Trump cartel?
JEFFRIES: Well, listen, Donald Trump has conducted himself like an organized crime boss. These people have unleashed unprecedented corruption on the American people. And here's our problem with that, that if you got people in high office that are so focused on enriching themselves, their family members, their friends, and their donors, then they're not focused on actually making life better for the American people.
And so our commitment to combating corruption and to holding the crooks accountable beginning on day one is a commitment actually to make sure that we've got people in government focused on doing the things necessary to address the affordability crisis, to make sure that healthcare is affordable for every single American, to fix our broken immigration system, to restore the damage that's been done to voting rights in the United States of America, including by passing the John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and, of course, to ending this reckless and costly war of choice in the Middle East, which, by the way, has skyrocketed gas prices on everyday Americans while at the same time putting Iran in a stronger position.
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So, there's a lot of challenges that we'll continue to confront as House Democrats through the balance of this Congress and, of course, into the next Congress.
BLITZER: If you become the leader or the Democrats, become the majority in the House, are you open to pursuing impeachment of President Trump, or are you ruling that out?
JEFFRIES: But we've made clear we haven't ruled anything in, and we haven't ruled anything out. And, certainly, as I've indicated, Jamie Raskin and House Judiciary Committee Democrats, I was a proud member of the House Judiciary Committee for ten years, as well as Robert Garcia and Democrats on the Oversight Committee are going to take the lead.
And as we've done in the past, whenever there have been moments of accountability that we've had to lead on, we are guided by three principles, follow the facts, apply the law, and be guided by the United States Constitution.
BLITZER: On another important issue Leader Jeffries, you issued a statement yesterday slamming what you called the malicious claim that American Jews are inviting violence against themselves as, quote, dangerous and anti-Semitic. Was that in reference to far-left influencer Hasan Piker and his recent very controversial comments?
JEFFRIES: Yes, those comments were dangerous, malicious, and anti- Semitic and should not be tolerated by anyone in the public square. What we've seen is a startling rise of hate crimes all across the United States of America, but particularly in this moment directed against our Jewish brothers and sisters.
And everybody, regardless of ideological perspective, should be willing to denounce this rise of anti-Semitic rhetoric, hate crimes, and bigotry, and actually try to move us to a society where we embrace everyone. Even where there are differences on issues, be they foreign or domestic, the notion that people should be targeted because of their religious beliefs or ethnicity or race, whatever the case may be, that's fundamentally inconsistent with who we are in this country.
BLITZER: Yes, indeed. Hasan Piker's clout among Democrats, though, particularly some younger Democratic voters, seems to be growing. We saw, for example, his prominence in the Michigan Senate Democratic primary. So, why not call him out by name in your statement if you feel so passionately about this issue?
JEFFRIES: I've just addressed Hasan Piker's comments as it relates to the Jewish community as forcefully as I can, and I will continue to do that.
BLITZER: Yes. But in your original statement, he was not addressed by name. That's why I was raising the question.
Leader Jeffries, you want to give me a final thought before I let you go? And we're grateful to you for joining us.
JEFFRIES: Well, there are 70 days until the midterm elections, and we either going to move the country forward or we're going to turn back the clock.
And Donald Trump's administration has been a disaster for the American people. That is clear. And we have an opportunity to take back control of the House and the United States Senate so we can begin the process of ending this national nightmare.
And, look, our commitment as Democrats is going to be to fight every day, every week, every month, to actually address the problems that matter here in this country while pushing back against the extremism that has been unleashed on the American people. That's unprecedented in nature and needs to end.
BLITZER: And a final thought, will the Democrats be the majority in the House and the Senate?
JEFFRIES: We have a good chance of taking back both the House and the Senate, but we got 70 days and we've got to knock on every door. We've got to encourage everybody to vote, and we're going to make sure that, notwithstanding the Supreme Court's efforts, that it's going to be the American people who decide who's in the Congress after November 3rd.
BLITZER: Leader Jeffries, thanks once again for joining us. I appreciate it very much.
JEFFRIES: Thank you.
BLITZER: And still ahead, President Trump taking jabs at the Premier of Ontario this morning. We're going to get Doug Ford's reaction when he joins me live right here in The Situation Room.
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That's next.
And later, burning at the rate of 35 football fields every minute, firefighters are racing to contain a wildfire in Texas right now. We'll have details here in The Situation Room.
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BLITZER: Happening now, the deepening trade war between the United States and Canada is growing increasingly hostile. Canadian leaders are lashing out at President Trump and his new threat of 50 percent tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks, and steel starting on January 1st. Listen.
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DOUG FORD, ONTARIO PREMIER: Well, he can kiss my (BLEEP), as far as I'm concerned.
We need to throw everything and the kitchen sink at him.
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He's arrogant. He's cocky.
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BLITZER: Canada says it's retaliating dollar for dollar on products coming from the United States.
At the top of the hour, we'll hear directly from many of Canada's top political and economic leaders during a news conference. Meanwhile, Ontario's premier is doubling down right now on his angry message to the president.
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FORD: I have a lot of real estate on my (BLEEP), so he has a lot of room to kiss my (BLEEP).
I don't respond to a dictator like President Trump, a bully like President Trump. As I said before, he's the type of guy in school that would take your lunch money one day, take your toque off your head the next day, and then steal your running shoes. But I'm not going to take any advice off a guy that's the king of bankruptcies.
(END VIDEO CLIP) BLITZER: The Ontario Premier Doug Ford is joining us right now. Premier, thank you very much for joining us.
It sounds like your frustration with President Trump and his tariffs policy against Canada is escalating. Would it be wiser to take the temperature down a bit right now between these two longtime great allies?
FORD: I think so, Wolf. Things got a little heated, it got a little personal yesterday between the president and myself. But I want to make a deal, a good deal for the American people, a good deal for the Canadians. And we're the two greatest countries in the world. We're each other's number one customer. And it's time to get back to the table, and let's negotiate a fair deal, because it's hurting the U.S., it's hurting Canada. And we just want to make sure that we have a fair deal.
BLITZER: A good point. But as you know, President Trump this morning is also taking new shots against Canada on his social media platform. Truth Social, he posted, and I'm quoting him now, the United States is giving serious consideration to changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America in that we don't expect to be doing much business with Ontario any longer. And moments ago, he even offered artwork showing the name change.
How do you respond to that and President Trump saying that the U.S. won't be doing much more business with the Ontario province that you represent?
FORD: Well, I think it's a lot of rhetoric because we're the number one customer to 17 states, number two to 12 others, Ontario alone. If Ontario was just standalone, we'd be the third-largest trading partner in the world. Canada is the number one customer, and we buy a tremendous amount of goods off Americans.
9 million Americans wake up every single morning to produce a product, a widget, or a service for Ontario. But, you know, we're strong believers in being a sovereign country, and when President Trump wants to attack our sovereignty and attack our, you know, businesses and people in Ontario, I can't roll over. My job is to protect Ontario and Canada and, ironically, protecting the American people.
President Trump ran on, you know, lowering the cost of goods. Everything's gone up from homes to fuel. He ran on creating more jobs. Actually, job numbers went down last month, while Ontario gained 52,000 jobs, more than the entire U.S. combined. We have a resilient economy here. We're going to keep going. We're going to continue diversifying the trade.
But I feel terrible for the people in the U.S. I always say I love the U.S., I love the American people. But, you know, states like Michigan and Ohio and Texas and Kentucky, the auto states that are manufacturing autos, it's cost the American people and the auto companies $110 billion on these tariffs. Our -- we're the number one purchaser of autos off America anywhere in the world, 400 percent more than anyone. And what's happening now, we're seeing a decrease in Canadians buying American vehicles, which is going to hurt the autoworkers. We're the number one customer for steel and aluminum. Now, that's going to, that's going to hurt the American people.
But I feel that we need to get back to the table and build, you know, as I always say, Fortress North America. We're stronger working together rather than attacking each other. It just -- it doesn't make sense.
BLITZER: In the last hour alone, Premier, the president, President Trump, posted on social media that all the countries he deals with, quote, Canada is easily the most difficult and unreasonable. It's a direct quote. Canada is the most difficult and unreasonable. How do you respond to that?
FORD: Well, you know, Canada has to stand up for their sovereignty.
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He's not attacking every other country saying that we're the 51st state. That will never happen. Again, we're the number one customer. We buy more goods and products off the U.S., and vice versa, by the way, than anywhere in the world. And I think we need to grow the -- you know, grow the pie per se, and create more jobs, more opportunities on both sides of the border, and that's what we want to do.
I think President Trump wants to hurt the American people. It's going to cost the Americans up to $5,000 more on automobiles. It's going to cost them a few thousand dollars more when these tariffs are impacted the U.S. I know the federal government and the prime minister's coming out with, I think it's over 95 pages of tariffs against the U.S., and that hurts the American people.
I do not understand why he wants to attack Canada nonstop. We're the closest friends and allies. And make no mistake about it, Wolf, Canadians still love the American people. They love the U.S. They don't see eye to eye with the president by any means, but we love the American people, and I do as well.
BLITZER: And for me, as somebody who grew up in Western New York at Buffalo, right at the border with Ontario, with Canada, it's heartbreaking to see what's going on right now. We love the United States obviously, but we also love Canada.
President Trump has said the U.S. doesn't need Canada, his words, but yesterday he conceded that Canada is a vital supplier of aluminum to the United States. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: And, you know, selfishly, we need aluminum in this country. We don't have it. We get it all from Canada for the most part, and we need it badly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Do you believe, Premier, that the president is intentionally trying to hurt Canadian industries, like aluminum, for example?
FORD: Well, with the tariffs applied on aluminum, you need us to continue buying steel and aluminum. You need the potash for the agricultural sector, that 90 percent of the potash goes down to your great farmers that we're supporting, and there's no other place to get it. If you want to get it out of Russia, that's fine. Everyone wants our potash around the world.
The uranium that gets -- you know, actually gets shipped from Saskatchewan to Ontario, refined in Ontario, and then gets enriched into the U.S., not to mention the 4.1 million barrels of oil that Alberta ships down every single day. And our high-grade nickel, 65 percent of all the high-grade nickel that you use for your military, for manufacturing, for aerospace, comes from Ontario.
I want to ship more, and not to mention the energy, that we keep 1.5 million lights on in homes and businesses in New York and Michigan and Minnesota. I want to ship you more electricity. I want to send you more nickel. We want to work together. That's what we want to do. I don't know if President Trump feels the same way.
BLITZER: You said that that there are -- you know, I mean, it was specifically -- let me get the words directly. You said you'd be willing to cut off Ontario's exports of electricity and critical minerals to the United States. What exactly do you mean by that?
FORD: Well, what I was saying, you know, Wolf, that everything is on the table right now. But would I rather send more electricity to power your plants and power your data centers and power other areas and homes that you don't have? We have the electricity that the U.S. needs, and I'm more than happy to send them more if we get a fair deal.
I want to open up our critical mineral market, rather than depending on China that has cornered the market. No one has more rare earth minerals, critical minerals, than Ontario does. I want to partner with the U.S., and it's unfortunate that it's gotten to the place that he wants to attack Canada unprovoked, and I just -- I do not understand it. We buy more agricultural products off the U.S. than anyone.
Actually, I think we're tied with Mexico pretty almost bang on. But that's what we need to do. Put a fortress North America, create more opportunities, make sure that the American people and Canadians have certainty and stability. Right now, I can tell you, talking to a lot of Americans, because my phone was just flooded with calls yesterday there, there's not certainty and there's not stability. That's what the U.S. needs, that's what Canada needs, and we need to work together.
BLITZER: In a related development, I just want to get your quick thought before I let you go, Premier. There are growing calls among a lot of Canadians right now to expel from Canada the United States ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, in part because of the very strained relationship between the Trump administration and Canada.
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A State Department spokesperson --
