As Democrats wrestle over the direction of their party, the divide between the traditional Democratic establishment and its more powerful socialist flank is becoming harder to ignore.
The Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA, are under fresh scrutiny following a television interview in which one of the group’s leaders defended broad, long-term proposals to overhaul key parts of the American political system.
Megan Romer, a co-chair of the DSA, appeared Sunday on Fox News with Shannon Bream, where she responded to a rapid series of “true or false” questions about policy positions tied to the organization’s platform.
The discussion touched on a range of sweeping ideas, including abolishing the Senate, ICE, borders and prisons; changing the way the United States elects its president; granting amnesty to anyone currently in the country illegally; defunding the Pentagon; and backing government or public ownership of most major corporations.
Romer answered several of the questions with responses such as “yup,” “absolutely,” and “as a long-term plan, yes.”
She also called the Senate an “anachronistic institution,” a remark that quickly fueled renewed debate over how dramatically the Democratic socialist movement hopes to remake U.S. government and politics.
The interview sparked immediate backlash from Republicans as well as Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, though most elected Democrats have not endorsed those positions.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz reacted on X, writing: “These people are insane.”
Democratic Socialists of America Co-Chair Megan Romer (far right) said the group is for abolishing prisons, the Senate and borders
Senator John Fetterman criticized the DSA proposals, on X writing: ‘Senate, Pentagon, Presidency, Prisons. This isn’t a big tent — it’s anarchy. Why can’t Dems call out the DSA?’
In an interview with CBS’ ‘Face the Nation,’ Sanders argued that voters are rejecting traditional political leadership, saying, ‘The people are sick and tired of the status quo.’
Rahm Emanuel has warned that Democratic candidates aligned with Bernie Sanders-style democratic socialism could hurt the Democratic party in competitive districts this election cycle
Fetterman also criticized the proposals, writing: ‘Senate, Pentagon, Presidency, Prisons. This isn’t a big tent — it’s anarchy. Why can’t Dems call out the DSA?’
Democratic Socialists have scored a slew of high-profile wins this primary season, including: Janeese Lewis George for Washington, DC mayor; Melat Kiros for Colorado’s 1st Congressional District; Claire Valdez for New York’s 7th Congressional District; and Darializa Avila Chevalier for New York’s 16th Congressional District.
The two New Yorkers were backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has become one of the movement’s most prominent members.
In total this year, the DSA has endorsed 27 candidates. Two U.S. House seats—Cori Bush’s seat in Missouri and Oliver Larkin’s race in Florida’s 25th Congressional District—have yet to be decided.
Larkin faces a steep uphill battle against incumbent Congressman Jared Moskowitz, whose years of political experience, deep fundraising network and established South Florida support base give him a significant advantage.
Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib are DSA’s only current members of Congress.
While Bernie Sanders is the movement’s standard-bearer and has called himself a democratic socialist for decades, he is not a DSA member.
The political fight comes as the Democratic Socialists of America have experienced a major membership increase.
DSA has reported membership growth from roughly 50,000 members in late 2024 to more than 90,000 by late 2025, with the organization later reporting membership above 100,000.
Democrats, however, remain divided over whether the socialist movement represents a threat — or the future of the party.
Former White House Chief of Staff and potential 2028 Democratic candidate Rahm Emanuel has warned that Democratic candidates aligned with Sanders-style democratic socialism could hurt the party in competitive districts.
In a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, Emanuel argued that Democrats risk allowing Republicans to define them through the positions of their most progressive activists.
Emanuel pointed to the influence of the activist left around Sanders, using ‘Bernie bros’ as shorthand for a movement he believes could create political problems for Democrats seeking moderate voters.
He criticized what he called the party’s embrace of ‘authenticity’ over electability, arguing that some progressive candidates could give Republicans ammunition in swing districts.
His broader argument: Democrats must build a wider coalition and avoid being defined solely by their left flank.
But Sanders rejected the idea that progressive politics are hurting Democrats.
Asked on CBS’ ‘Face the Nation’ about concerns from moderates that socialist-aligned candidates could damage the party’s midterm prospects, Sanders argued that voters are rejecting traditional political leadership.
‘The people are sick and tired of the status quo,’ Sanders said.
