Democrats condemn streamer Hasan Piker over remarks on American Jews
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other prominent Democrats are condemning far-left streamer Hasan Piker after he suggested American Jews could face violence over their support for Israel.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and a growing list of Democratic officials are condemning far-left streamer Hasan Piker after he warned that American Jews could face violence if they continue to be seen as strongly supporting Israel. The backlash follows a stream last week in which Piker displayed an image of Michigan state Sen. Jeremy Moss, a Jewish Democrat who is the party's nominee in Michigan's 11th Congressional District.
«If Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they are singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone is going to come around and take action, not against the state of Israel, mind you, but against American Jews,» Piker said. Moss has said a fake audio clip is circulating that falsely portrays him as saying he ran for Congress solely to ensure continued U.S. support for Israel.
Jeffries joined the backlash Monday, initially without naming Piker, calling the claim that American Jews were inviting violence against themselves «dangerous and antisemitic.» Asked on CNN the following day whether he was referring to Piker, Jeffries said yes. «Those comments were dangerous, malicious and antisemitic and should not be tolerated by anyone in the public square,» Jeffries said.
Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois, who called Piker an «unapologetic antisemite» in March, renewed that criticism Tuesday, saying Piker's latest remarks were consistent with his «history of antisemitic statements.» Schneider added, «Hasan Piker's hateful ideas and antisemitic remarks have no place in America or our nation's politics.»
Other Democrats who had previously criticized Piker also spoke out. Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan rejected the idea that Jewish Americans should be blamed for antisemitism directed at them, saying, «No community should face the threat of violence for their political views.» Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan, who earlier this year criticized Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed for campaigning with Piker, said she believed Piker should be condemned.
Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, whose team had previously turned down an appearance with the streamer, went further this week and directly condemned Piker's rhetoric about Jewish Americans, saying it has no place in public discourse. Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who in April compared Piker's approach to that of far-right commentator Nick Fuentes, also weighed in.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, one of Piker's most persistent critics, praised Jeffries' pushback and called the streamer's comments something «right out of the Nazi playbook,» emphasizing them as «a call for violence against Jews.» Gottheimer on Tuesday called on House leaders to bring a bipartisan resolution condemning Piker's rhetoric up for a vote. He also told CNN that anyone who does not condemn Piker's comments is «complicit.»
Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville drew a line between himself and the part of the party embracing Piker earlier this month, saying he would leave the party if Piker's wing took control. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania took aim at El-Sayed over his ties to Piker during Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, saying, «I dare you to continue to campaign with people like Hasan Piker.»
Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida distanced himself from Piker last week after defeating a Democratic primary challenger who had Piker's backing. Rep. Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts said on «Fox News Sunday» that «the Democratic Party does not stand for what Hasan Piker stands for.» Rep. Hillary Scholten of Michigan issued one of the sharpest responses, saying, «Hasan Piker's talk of violence against American Jews, and directly naming a Michigan elected official, and future member of Congress, Jeremy Moss, is unacceptable. Full stop.»
