Democrat infighting erupts as a former Pelosi aide slams House Leader Hakeem Jeffries for failing to steer the party against the MAGA surge.
Breitbart reported that Ashley Etienne, one of Pelosi's top aides, aired her grievances on a Politico podcast, exposing deep rifts within the party. Her critique signals a broader struggle for control as Democrats grapple with their identity.
Following Donald Trump’s recent electoral triumph, the Democratic Party faces growing internal fractures. Etienne, once a key adviser to Nancy Pelosi, aimed at Jeffries during Politico’s Playbook Deep Dive podcast, hosted by Washington Bureau Chief Rachel Bade. She accused Jeffries of lacking the grit and organizational prowess needed to lead effectively.
Etienne’s credentials carry weight, with past roles as communications director for Vice President Kamala Harris and senior adviser to Pelosi. She also served as a special assistant to former President Barack Obama. Her experience makes her critique of Jeffries’ leadership particularly stinging.
Etienne argued that Jeffries fails to rally Democrats around a cohesive anti-Trump strategy. She criticized his inability to coordinate with outside groups and elected officials nationwide. This lack of unity, she warned, leaves the party’s messaging scattered and ineffective.
“If you don’t have coordination, you’ve just got words on paper,” Etienne said. She described the party’s current talking points as “meaningless” without a structured effort to amplify them. Her remarks underscore a broader concern about the party’s direction.
Etienne also faulted Jeffries for not leveraging moderate Democrats to push a centrist agenda. She believes this failure cedes ground to the MAGA movement’s bold, unified front. The party’s inability to adapt strategically has left it vulnerable, she argued.
For years, Nancy Pelosi’s iron grip ensured Democrats spoke with one voice. Her influence kept lawmakers and pundits aligned, projecting strength. Etienne credited Pelosi’s team for much of this cohesion, which Jeffries now seems to reject.
Jeffries’ team has distanced itself from Pelosi’s legacy, Etienne revealed. When she recently offered her expertise to his staffers, they rebuffed her. “The members don’t want any Pelosi,” they told her, signaling a deliberate break from the past.
Etienne called this rejection “the dumbest” move, expressing frustration at the dismissal of proven expertise. She argued that shunning Pelosi’s seasoned advisers weakens Jeffries’ ability to navigate turbulent times. The party’s refusal to learn from its own history baffles her.
The Democratic Party has yet to analyze its recent electoral setbacks, Etienne noted. This failure leaves leaders drawing conflicting conclusions about how to move forward. Without a clear postmortem, the party risks repeating its mistakes.
Jeffries’ team insists on forging a new path, free from Pelosi’s shadow. Etienne warned that this approach ignores valuable lessons from a successful era. The push to reinvent the party’s identity could backfire, she suggested.
“I was hearing from leadership staff that the leadership on Capitol Hill right now wants to sort of move away from that Pelosi era,” Etienne said. She emphasized their reluctance to embrace “anyone or anything” tied to Pelosi. This stance, she believes, undermines effective leadership.
Etienne’s public critique highlights a Democratic Party in disarray, struggling to counter a resurgent MAGA movement. Jeffries’ leadership, she argued, lacks the backbone to unite factions and mount a robust defense. Her comments reflect a broader anxiety about the party’s future.
The refusal to engage with Pelosi’s experienced team raises questions about Jeffries’ strategy. Etienne’s offer to assist was met with a cold shoulder, revealing tensions within the party’s ranks. This rejection could alienate allies who bring institutional knowledge.