In January 2023, after Kevin McCarthy was elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, delivered a unique 15-minute speech before handing over the “people’s” gavel to his Republican colleague.

Ending with alphabetical declaration of Democratic Party principles, Jeffries’ remarks brought his caucus to their feet with cheers and laughter. Someone set it to music. And it was viewed over 2.4 million times on social media over the following two days.

Now, that speech, delivered by the first African American leader of either chamber of Congress, form the basis for Rep. Jeffries’ new book, ABCs of Democracy, his blueprint for the nation’s future.

In the wake of an election that might see the Brooklyn congressman rise to become Speaker of House, he joins us to discuss the challenge of replacing Nancy Pelosi, corralling a divided caucus into speaking with a single voice, working across party lines and what the November election tells us about the direction of our country.

Unanimously elected Minority Leaders, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries represents the Brooklyn district of NY-8. He is a firm supporter of criminal justice reform, lowering prescription drug prices, affordable housing and Israel.

Representative Jeffries will sit for a conversation geared toward both adults and teens with Ari Melber, host of The Beat with Ari Melber and MSNBC Chief Legal Correspondent.

Ari Melber is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, writer, attorney and host of MSNBC’s The Beat with Ari Melber. The Beat covers news, law, politics and culture and is the longest running 6:00 PM show in MSNBC’s history. The New York Times reported The Beat is now one of the “highest rated” shows across all of cable news. It was nominated for a 2020 Emmy in the “Outstanding Live Interview” category; Melber received a 2016 Emmy Award for his reporting on the Supreme Court.

Melber also serves as MSNBC’s Chief Legal Correspondent and an NBC News Legal Analyst. His writing has been published by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Politico and Reuters, and he wrote a foreword on Donald Trump’s Coup Conspiracy for the Harper Collins edition of The January 6 Report, a #1 New York Times bestseller.

Melber previously spent years practicing First Amendment law and received a J.D. from Cornell Law School. He is a member of the New York Bar.