House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Monday fiercely defended his use of the phrase "maximum warfare" to describe Democrats' redistricting efforts.Why it matters: Republicans have characterized the remark as an example of the type of inflammatory rhetoric that can spark political violence following the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting.After Virginians narrowly voted last week to approve a new map that could give Democrats a 10-1 majority, Jeffries said at a press conference: "We are in an era of maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time."It was a direct reference to an anonymous source's characterization of the White House's strategy on mid-decade redistricting in a New York Times story last summer.What they're saying: "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 at a press conference Monday.Addressing "so-called criticism from these phony Republicans," Jeffries said: "You can continue to criticize me for it. I don't give a damn about the criticism ... get lost."Jeffries noted that the phrase originated from a source that the Times described as being "close to" President Trump.State of play: Several House Republicans took to social media in the aftermath of the Saturday shooting to accuse Jeffries of stoking partisan resentment with the comment.Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) wrote in a post on X: "Hakeem Jeffries called for 'Maximum warfare' against President Trump and his Administration ... The Democrat Party's rhetoric is demonic and dangerous.""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," Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) posted on X.Fine called for Democrats to hold Jeffries "accountable."The bottom line: Jeffries has repeatedly condemned the shooting and related acts of political violence."Political violence in any form, directed at anyone, whether that's left, right or center, is unacceptable. Period, full stop," he said at his Monday press conference.