House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is seen as a strong candidate for the next speaker of the House following a landslide victory in the U.S. midterm elections, said on November 4 local time that there would be no political retribution, while vowing to hold Donald Trump and his associates accountable for corruption issues.

In an interview with MS Now on the day after the midterm elections, Leader Jeffries said, "The American people do not want us to engage in payback. They want us to deliver results on their behalf because the cost of living is too high."

With Democrats projected to secure well over 250 seats, comfortably surpassing the 218-seat majority in the House, Jeffries described the outcome as a "stunning number" and an "extraordinary victory," calling it a "remarkable rebuke of MAGA extremism."

He went on to state that he would respond firmly to suspicions that President Trump, his family, and his associates used political power for private gain.

"Corruption has a price," Jeffries pointed out, noting that President Trump and other high-ranking Republican officials have focused solely on increasing the wealth of themselves, their families, friends, and donors.

He also added, "Americans clearly connect the negative impacts of the policies implemented over the past two years with that corruption. When it comes to accountability, it will be our responsibility to follow the facts, apply the law, and act in accordance with the Constitution."

"Regardless of the outcome, we must ensure that those who have done wrong are held accountable. Of course, we must also ensure that Congress can always work for the American people," he said.

These remarks are interpreted as a somewhat cautious stance compared to the more hardline currents within the Democratic Party, such as exercising strong congressional subpoena powers and pursuing legal accountability against the Trump administration.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)