The modern Democratic Party is about as popular as a rash in hot weather, but that hasn’t stopped its members or its leaders from doubling down on the insanity that has seen their approval rating crater into the mid-20s. And on Sunday, we got more of the same from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York who, during a ridiculous 10-hour-plus “sit-in” with Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building, laughingly called his party “patriots” while calling President Donald Trump and Republicans “traitors,” all while gaslighting with Civil War-era rhetoric.
Jeffries’ controversial remarks, where he was first joined by Booker and later by several other Democrats and colleagues, was carefully orchestrated to make their “sit-in” seem like an organic groundswell of support—impressive only in their own minds, much like Booker’s theatrical 25-hour filibuster. Rev. William Barber also joined the effort, speaking about putting “principles over party,” which prompted Jeffries to reference an old quote from Ulysses S. Grant at the start of the Civil War.
“Reminds me of a letter that Ulysses Grant was said to have sent at the start of the Civil War,” Jeffries said. “At that moment of great turmoil in the country, the country literally tearing itself apart,” he set the scene before adding, “What Grant said is, ‘There are but two parties in America right now – Patriots and traitors.” Grant was eventually put in charge of the entire Union Army, leading it to victory over the Confederacy. After the war, Grant, a Republican, was elected president, but his tenure was scandal-filled. On April 12, 1861, as the Confederacy attacked Fort Sumter, Grant reportedly said, “There are but two parties now: traitors and patriots. And I want hereafter to be ranked with the latter.”
Jeffries’ choice to cite a Republican who fought against the pro-slavery Democrats of the Civil War era—casting today’s GOP as “traitors”—was deliberate. It also feels like another era, when lawmakers urged cooler rhetoric even as President Trump faced multiple assassination attempts. We’re back to the old ‘over half the country are just like Civil War–era traitors.’
On X, many viewers clapped back at Temu Obama’s comparison, pointing out that his rhetoric looked a lot like projection. “Hakeem Jeffries isn’t wrong,” one man wrote. “He’s just confused about which of these two parties he and his ilk belong to.” One critic explained: “They (Democrats) purposefully led an invasion of our country, undermine our foreign policy overseas, and only prosecute those they disagree with politically for crimes.”
Yes Cory, keep calling at least half of the voters deplorable traitors. That approach has worked out great for your party. https://t.co/BKYs3wY88u
— Doug Powers (@ThePowersThatBe) April 27, 2025
