As the Democratic Party’s socialist wing racks up primary victories, one top Democrat is emphasizing that the party remains a big tent.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., dodged a question from Fox News on Wednesday about whether the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) platform has a place in the Democratic Party.
“[The] bottom line is Democrats from one end of the spectrum to the other are going to be working to defeat Trump, to bring down costs, to go after his corruption and to end the chaos,” Schumer replied at a leadership news conference.
The Senate minority leader did not elaborate on whether he agreed with the DSA’s call to abolish the Senate.
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The Senate has frequently drawn criticism from socialists for giving equal power to all states and its 60-vote threshold requiring bipartisan consensus to pass most legislation.
The Senate abolition proposal is part of the DSA’s recent platform, “Workers Deserve More,” which also calls for scrapping the presidency and the Supreme Court in favor of representatives “chosen by” and “subordinate to” a unicameral Congress.
In the manifesto, the far-left group also calls for abolishing the police and prisons, defunding the Department of War, and dismantling capitalism.
The exchange comes as Schumer’s path to political power is increasingly colliding with the socialist movement’s growing strength.
After upsetting Democratic incumbents in New York City and Colorado this year, the DSA is attempting to keep its winning streak alive by electing more socialist candidates in upcoming primaries in Missouri and Michigan.
If Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed, a far-left candidate who has rejected the “socialist” label, wins the hotly contested Democratic primary, Schumer’s hopes of becoming Senate majority leader could depend on his victory in November.
The New York Democrat has thrown his support behind Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., who has consolidated support among the party’s establishment wing, in the key Senate race.
Schumer could also face a primary threat from the Democratic Party’s far-left flank if he seeks reelection in 2028.
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Some moderate Democrats have called on the party to take a harder line in rejecting the DSA.
“This isn’t a big tent—it’s anarchy,” Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., wrote on social media earlier this week. “Why can’t Dems call out the DSA?”
DSA co-chair Megan Romer affirmed the group supports many of these policy ideas during a recent interview with “Fox News Sunday.”
“[You’re advocating for] abolish[ing] the Senate?” Fox News’ Shannon Bream asked.
“True,” Romer responded.
“Replace the presidency and Supreme Court as we now know them?” Bream followed up.
“Yep,” Romer replied.
“Abolish ICE?” Bream pressed.
“Absolutely,” Romer said.
Whether Democratic leaders embrace or distance themselves from the DSA will be a defining question heading into the November midterms.
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