NEW YORK (AP) — A recently released platform from a prominent progressive organization is handing Republicans fresh ammunition to attack Democrats as extremists and communists, just as internal divisions within the Democratic Party are coming to a head during primary season.
The Democratic Socialists of America’s “Workers Deserve More” platform has drawn fierce criticism from top GOP figures, even though the candidates aligned with the group don’t always fully embrace its entire agenda. The platform, released earlier this month, calls for drafting “a new constitution” that would fundamentally reshape the U.S. government — including eliminating the Senate, replacing both the president and the Supreme Court with leaders chosen by Congress, and extending voting rights to all permanent U.S. residents, along with a wide range of social policy changes.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, took to X to sound the alarm. “The barbarians are inside the gate — and Democrats are WELCOMING them in,” he wrote. “Communism is no longer a far fetched threat. It is here on our SHORES!”
The Wall Street Journal’s conservative-leaning editorial board also weighed in, labeling the agenda radical and arguing that both Republicans and open-minded Democrats have a responsibility to inform the public about it. However, the board cautioned Republicans against leaning too heavily on communist attack lines, noting that such rhetoric is unlikely to connect with younger voters.
President Donald Trump has revived a familiar tactic this year, repeatedly labeling Democrats as communists and accusing them of wanting to “destroy the traditional American way of life.” Other Republican leaders have echoed that message, returning to well-worn political attacks after months of defending their party amid public frustration over foreign conflicts and rising living costs.
The DSA outlined its vision for the country in mid-July, proposing sweeping reforms it says could partly be achieved within the existing system but would ultimately require “building a new society from the ground up.” Key proposals include expanding voting access, publicly funding all elections, moving away from the two-party system toward a multi-party democracy, placing large corporations under public ownership, and broadening immigrant rights while ending Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions and deportations.
The group’s co-chair, Megan Romer, appeared on Fox News Channel recently and confirmed several elements of the platform. She acknowledged that certain proposals — such as abolishing borders and prisons — are part of a longer-term vision rather than immediate goals.
The Republican National Committee drew attention to the platform over the weekend in a post that quickly spread among GOP lawmakers. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz responded on X with blunt words: “These people are insane.” Rep. Steve Scalise, the second-ranking Republican in the House, urged followers to pay close attention, writing: “Watch this clip closely. These ideas could be coming to your community sooner than you think.”
The controversy comes as DSA-aligned candidates have been racking up wins in recent Democratic primaries. Fueled by voter frustration with the party establishment and growing opposition to U.S. support for Israel, these candidates have defeated moderate opponents in House races in New York and Colorado. Democratic socialist candidates have also claimed victory in mayoral contests in major cities including Washington, D.C., New York, and Seattle. An upcoming Missouri primary will pit a DSA-backed former congresswoman against a moderate Democratic incumbent, providing another test of the movement’s strength.
Not all progressive candidates are embracing the DSA’s full agenda, however. In an upcoming Michigan Senate primary, for instance, progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed has publicly separated himself from socialism, stating that he supports capitalism but believes it requires stronger regulation.
On the other side, establishment Democrats have pushed back firmly against DSA-aligned candidates running under the Democratic Party banner. Former Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison addressed the issue directly in a June social media post. “I say this with no ill will or animosity: if you hate the Democratic Party, then please don’t run for our nomination,” Harrison wrote. “Don’t use our resources. Don’t rely on our volunteers. Don’t use our infrastructure. Don’t ask Democrats to invest their time, money, and energy in your campaign. Focus on building the party you actually support.”
