In a move that has drawn sharp criticism and ignited fresh political debates,

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York made

comments that many are calling divisive, hyperbolic, and

historically inaccurate. During a 10-hour “sit-in” at the U.S. Capitol with Sen.

Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jeffries labeled President Donald Trump and

Republicans as “traitors,” while calling his own

party “patriots.” This fiery rhetoric has raised eyebrows and brought

fresh attention to the internal struggles within American politics.

The remarks were made as part of a larger Democratic effort to protest

against certain Republican policies and actions. The event, which

was portrayed as a spontaneous act of grassroots activism,

was seen by many as a carefully orchestrated publicity stunt. In addition

to Jeffries and Booker, the protest was joined by other Democratic lawmakers, as well as Rev. William Barber, a

prominent activist and leader of the Poor People’s Campaign. During the

event, Barber spoke of prioritizing “principles over party,” and

Jeffries used this moment to invoke a comparison with

Ulysses S. Grant, a Civil War-era figure known for leading the Union Army to victory.