Congressman Hakeem Jeffries — representing parts of Brooklyn and Queens in the 8th Congressional District — was already in the national spotlight for his role as the Number Five Democrat on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's leadership team.

But he's also developed a reputation for mic drop moments.

Most recently Tuesday night on the floor of — of all places — the United States Senate during the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, responding to Trump's attorneys.

"As [Trump attorney Jay Sekulow] opened before this distinguished body: Why are we here? Let me see if I can just posit an answer," Jeffries said.

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With a shoutout to Brooklyn's Biggie Smalls, Jeffries's moment went viral:

"And we are here, sir, to follow the facts, apply the law, be guided by Constitution, and present the truth to the American people. That is why we are here, Mr. Sekulow," Jeffries said. "And if you don't know, now you know."

"With respect to the rebuttal moment, we all were just reacting to the information that the president's lawyers would present, and trying to address it in the most direct, comprehensive, and authentic fashion," Jeffries told me Wednesday morning.

The preparation for these seven House impeachment managers is immense and thorough. The team, led by House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff, has to follow strict guidelines and choreography while on the Senate floor, where the rules are different than what is standard procedure over in the House.

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"Our case is simple. The facts are uncontested by the president's lawyer," Jeffries said. "The evidence is overwhelming, and we are simply going to present that evidence in a straightforward, comprehensive, and compelling fashion over the next few days."

The role of a House impeachment manager is a coveted position for precisely this reason: a chance to make a major splash on the national stage.

Jeffries himself is viewed by many as being a possible successor to Pelosi to be the next House Speaker.
 

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But, for the moment, he says he's focused on the task at hand: making the case to an opposition Senate on why the president should be removed from office.

A tall order, but Jeffries says his Empire State roots will guide him.

"If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere," the Democratic congressman said.