Squad member’s prospects for Democrat leadership dim after firestorm over Russia diplomacy letter

The Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) released a letter earlier this week from 30 progressive Democrats, including all Jayapal's fellow Squad members, which called for more diplomacy with Russia, which appeared to undercut the party’s support for Ukraine while simultaneously bolstering Putin, while Republicans debate whether to approve more US aid to the country. Democrats, especially those up for re-election have attempted to portray Republicans as unwilling to defend Ukraine.

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Ukrainian leaders have resisted such negotiations, fearing they would inevitably lead to a loss of Ukrainian territory, and have pledged to fight until Russian forces are out of their country. US President Joe Biden has been clear that his administration will back Ukraine’s tactical decisions.

After criticism within the Democrat party went public, Jayapal who has a history of alleged mistreatment of subordinates, blamed the release of the letter on staff, a move that was seen as lacking diplomacy and violating an unspoken rule in Washington. However, according to Politico, Jayapal personally approved the release of the letter. Jayapal ended up withdrawing the letter after the intra-party blowup went public.

Jayapal said in a statement, “The Congressional Progressive Caucus hereby withdraws its recent letter to the White House regarding Ukraine. The letter was drafted several months ago but unfortunately was released by staff without vetting. As Chair of the Caucus, I accept responsibility for this.”

A person familiar with the matter told The Washington Post, "She can kiss her chances of leadership goodbye."

Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), a former Marine, tweeted on Monday, “This letter is an olive branch to a war criminal who’s losing his war. Ukraine is on the march. Congress should be standing firmly behind @JoeBidens effective strategy, including tighter – not weaker! – sanctions.”

Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, told The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI Wednesday, “I didn't think it was a good idea at this point because it would undermine what Ukraine is trying to accomplish, and they've had a lot of progress as we know in the last month or so in taking back the territory that Russia has stole from them.”

“Putin is the one who is floating the idea of a ceasefire,” Smith added. “He wants to hold on to what he's got, and by the way, he's not gonna honor that ceasefire. So right now we're not in a position to negotiate with Russia. We need to support Ukraine so they can take as much of their country back as possible, and I think this (letter) was not helpful in that effort, so I didn't think it made sense to send that.”

Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), a former chairman of the Progressive Caucus echoed the sentiments saying, “Diplomacy is one important tool in the process of making peace, but given the progression of the war, the war crimes and atrocities committed by Putin’s regime and the Russian army, I would not have signed this letter today.”

A senior House Democrat told CNN, “People are furious – especially front-liners,” referring to the vulnerable members at risk of losing their seats in the upcoming midterm elections.

Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), a former Marine, tweeted on Monday, “This letter is an olive branch to a war criminal who’s losing his war. Ukraine is on the march. Congress should be standing firmly behind @JoeBidens effective strategy, including tighter – not weaker! – sanctions.”

The release of the letter this week was not endorsed by most of the members. Some even said they would not sign it now given that Ukrainian forces have turned the tide of the conflict in their favor. California Rep. Sara Jacobs, a fellow member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus said, “Timing in diplomacy is everything. I signed this letter on June 30, but a lot has changed since then. I wouldn’t sign it today.”

According to The Hill, following the debacle, Jayapal’s future leadership prospects are in jeopardy. A senior Democratic strategist involved with progressive candidates and on Capitol Hill told the outlet, “I look forward to next year’s Progressive Caucus election and new leadership,” adding that “Jayapal has lost the faith of her colleagues.”

The third-term liberal representing Seattle has been vocal recently that she had her eye on a chance to be part of Democratic leadership after the midterms. If there is a Republican landslide, there will likely be a shakeup of party leadership, as progressives will likely double down on the far-left policies that may lose them the election, while moderates attempt to move the party closer to the center to win back voters.

Jayapal has not said publicly what role she was hoping to fill. The future leadership prospects of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and her top two lieutenants, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn (SC) are unclear as many expect Republicans to take control of the House after the midterms.

Despite the harsh reaction by Democrats to Jayapal’s release of the letter, Smith claimed Jayapal’s action have not divided the party, telling 570 KVI, “No, it hasn't really, because one of the key points in this is the letter does not call for us to stop supplying Ukraine with weapons.”

Smith added, “All of the people who have signed it have come out publicly and said they're a hundred percent in favor of funding Ukraine…I do understand sort of where this letter came from. They want to support Ukraine. They want to get to peace, and I get that, but to get to peace, the first thing you have to do is stop Putin. But right now, as near as I can tell, every Democrat is saying, not only do they continue to support the money we gave them, but they support giving the Ukrainians more military help if they need it to be successful.”

“I haven't heard any elected official whose saying otherwise right now on the Democratic side, Smith concluded.”

The editorial board of the left-leaning Seattle Times wrote on Wednesday, "At worst, US Rep. Pramila Jayapal deeply misunderstands the political and diplomatic realities of the war in Ukraine. At best, she is throwing a staff member under the bus for releasing an explosive letter that was ham-handed in the first place. Either way, the Democrat, whose district includes most of Seattle, has egg on her face this week.