House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Sunday, 2 November 2026 declined to rule out impeaching President Donald Trump if Democrats win control of the House of Representatives in Tuesday's midterm elections, while insisting his party's primary focus remains the affordability crisis facing American households.

Asked by ABC News whether impeachment would distract from the Democratic agenda, Jeffries said: 'We haven't ruled anything in, and we haven't ruled anything out because we've made it clear that we are focused on addressing the affordability crisis.'

Jeffries' Day-One Priorities

The New York Democrat, speaking in an interview aired on ABC's This Week, framed the stakes in constitutional terms: 'We believe that it is important for Congress to function as a check and balance on an out-of-control Executive Branch,' he said. According to reports, Jeffries had separately described his day-one priorities on the campaign trail as the cost of living — 'in particular, health care and rising gas and grocery prices.'

Notably, Democrats are reportedly running not just on affordability but on accountability as well, with a string of investigations into Trump and his administration already being prepared. Some subpoenas are reportedly in the works, targeting the President, his administration, his family's businesses and its cryptocurrency interests. The White House has consistently denied any conflicts of interest.

The Impeachment Question

Several House Democrats have openly discussed impeaching Trump for a third time in recent months. Trump was impeached twice by the Democratic-led House during his first term — once in 2019 and again in 2021 — and was acquitted by the Senate on both occasions.

Under the US Constitution, a House impeachment requires only a simple majority, but removal from office would require a two-thirds vote (67 votes) in the Senate — a far higher bar that has never been cleared in American history.

Historic Speakership on the Line

If Democrats succeed in flipping the House, Jeffries is poised to become the first Black Speaker in American history — a milestone that adds a historic dimension to Tuesday's results beyond the immediate question of impeachment.

Republican Confidence and the Battle for Congress

On the Republican side, House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence that his party would 'defy the polls and history.' When asked whether a Republican defeat would signal voters seeking change, Johnson reportedly said he would not view it as a message, but as a sign that voters were 'misinformed.'

Democrats need a net gain of three seats to win the House majority. Election forecasters currently rate them as favourites to do so. The battle for the Senate, where Republicans hold 53 of the 100 seats, is seen as considerably closer. Polls close across the country on Tuesday night.