President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Thursday, urging that the New York congressman face charges for allegedly encouraging violence. Trump’s remarks came in the wake of an incident last month involving an armed individual who tried to gain entry to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

“This lunatic, Hakeem ‘Low IQ’ Jeffries, should be charged with INCITING VIOLENCE!” Trump posted on his Truth Social page. “The Radical Left Democrats actually want to Destroy our Country. President DJT.”

Although Trump did not directly reference the attempted breach in his written statement, the post featured two images: one showing Jeffries speaking in front of a sign promising “maximum warfare” against Trump’s policies, and another depicting the suspect—identified as California resident Cole Allen—captured on surveillance footage while attempting to access the event.

In the aftermath of the incident, Jeffries publicly defended his use of the phrase “maximum warfare,” according to reporting by Axios, maintaining that the language was tied to political disputes rather than any endorsement of violence.

“As it relates to the comment related to ‘maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time,’ in connection with the redistricting battle that Republicans launched, I stand by it,” Jeffries said. “You can continue to criticize me for it. I don’t give a damn about the criticism … get lost.”

Some Republican lawmakers have argued that Jeffries’ rhetoric contributes to heightened tensions. Representative Andrew Clyde criticized the remarks in a social media post last month.

“Hakeem Jeffries called for ‘Maximum warfare’ against President Trump and his Administration,” Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., wrote in a post last month on X. “The Democrat Party’s rhetoric is demonic and dangerous.”

Representative Randy Fine also weighed in, calling on Democrats to respond to Jeffries’ statements.

“It is unacceptable that House Democrats continue to remain silent in the aftermath of his call for ‘maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time’ against Republicans,” Fine posted on X.

{Matzav.com}