Jeffries takes aim at Trump and costs in Calvary Baptist Church rally

Hakeem Jeffries stood before the congregation at Calvary Baptist Church in San Antonio on Sunday and launched a direct critique of President Donald Trump. The House Minority Leader addressed parishioners at the East Side house of worship to discuss religious literacy and the cost of living. He specifically referenced a past error by Trump regarding biblical citations.

Jeffries cited the book of Second Corinthians, chapter four, while speaking to the crowd. He corrected the pronunciation of the book's name to emphasize a point about the president's familiarity with the text. "Mr. President, if you sell the Bible, you should know the Bible," Jeffries told the audience. The comment recalled a 2016 incident where the then-candidate misidentified the passage as "Two Corinthians" at Liberty University.

The visit to the church was part of a campaign effort to support Johnny Garcia in the race for Texas' 35th Congressional District. Garcia faces Republican Carlos De La Cruz in a competitive contest. The district was redrawn by the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature last year, creating a boundary that shifted the area toward a Trump lean.

Trump carried the 35th District by nearly 10 points in the 2024 election. Democrats argue that the district's majority-Hispanic demographics make the recent gerrymandering vulnerable to voter dissatisfaction. They point to rising consumer and fuel prices as factors that could sway voters away from the Republican incumbent's position.

Jeffries told the congregation that Garcia intends to lower prices and protect federal benefits. He emphasized the need for affordable housing, healthcare, and education. "We believe, as House Democrats, that life is way too expensive," Jeffries said. He argued that working hard and playing by the rules should lead to a comfortable life and a good retirement.

Garcia spoke to the group about his background as a former Bexar County Sheriff's deputy. He focused on safety, border security, and constitutional rights. "Liberty should mean being able to work, worship and raise a family without fear of unjust treatment," Garcia said. He expressed confidence that the nation can secure its borders while treating people with dignity.

The discussion of constitutional rights comes amid growing concerns about the Department of Justice's role in elections. Last week, the DOJ filed a lawsuit to halt the certification of Alaska's U.S. Senate race results if the Republican incumbent loses. On Monday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an emergency bid by the DOJ to set aside mail-in ballots in California.

Jeffries spoke to reporters after the church service about the state of the midterms. He noted that Democrats have organized a large voter protection effort for the upcoming election. "We're going to make sure that it's a free and fair election here in Texas and across the country," he said. He added that the American people should decide who holds the majority in the next Congress.

Early voting for the 35th District race continues through October 30. Polls reopen on Election Day, November 3. Voters can find specific locations and times on the Bexar County Elections Department website.