House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' recent pledge to oppose President Trump's agenda "in the streets" ignited a social media firestorm, with many drawing parallels to Rep. Maxine Waters' controversial 2018 remarks. Jeffries made the statement while addressing concerns about New York City Mayor Eric Adams' perceived lack of resistance to Trump's policies.

Jeffries emphasized the Democrats' commitment to countering what he termed an "extreme MAGA Republican agenda" that he believes disadvantages working-class Americans. He vowed to combat this agenda through legislative, legal, and street-level opposition.

The phrase "fight in the streets" immediately drew comparisons to Waters, who faced criticism for urging supporters to confront Trump administration officials in public spaces during protests against the "zero-tolerance" immigration policy. Social media users highlighted the perceived similarities in the rhetoric, expressing concerns about potential violence and unrest.

A White House official called on Jeffries to apologize for what they considered a "disgraceful call to violence." In response, Jeffries' spokesperson defended the statement, asserting that Jeffries does not condone violence and highlighting the Democratic Party's commitment to peaceful protest, invoking the legacy of civil rights leader John Lewis. The spokesperson characterized the accusations as absurd, contrasting the Democrats' approach with the Republican Party's alleged pardoning of individuals involved in violence against law enforcement.