Editorial: Democratic leader saves wrath for moderates, not socialists

Las Vegas Review-Journal, Las Vegas Review-Journal on Sep 6, 2026

Published in Op Eds

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To determine a political party’s priorities, see what makes it upset.

The rise of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is one of the biggest ongoing stories in politics. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is a member of the DSA. In recent months, Democrats connected to the DSA have won primaries in Michigan, Colorado, New York and Pennsylvania.

In some races, DSA candidates have defeated incumbents. Last month, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., rejoined DSA’s New York chapter. She isn’t just a big presence on social media. She would be a serious contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination if she decides to run.

In Florida, state Rep. Angie Nixon, a DSA member, won the Democrat primary for U.S. Senate against a much better funded opponent. In Michigan, Democrat Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has tried to distance himself from the DSA, but he repeatedly attended socialist events in previous years.

Some Democratic Party leaders have sought to distance themselves from the DSA’s positions, like its support of communism and abolishing the police. But top Democrats have made it clear that DSA members are welcome to join their caucuses.

“You’re going to have individual members who have been elected in Democratic primaries and, if they are elected in the general in November, will be part of the House Democratic Caucus,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Meet the Press last month. “It’s going to be a broad caucus. There will be progressives. There will be New Dems. There will be Blue Dogs.”

Contrast Jeffries’ acceptance of DSA-aligned Democrats with what happened earlier last week. Two Democrats voted with House Republicans on a procedural move. Their votes allowed House Republicans to put forward a resolution condemning socialism and calling for the Senate to pass the SAVE Act.

“The decision by two of our colleagues to blindside the entire House Democratic Caucus and join with the Republican majority to pass a procedural rule on the brink of failing represents a significant breach of trust,” Jeffries said in a joint statement with two other House Democrat leaders. “It is an action that necessitates a serious response, and we have asked the Committee on Caucus Rules to take this up in short order.”

Take note: Teeing up an embarrassing vote on a messaging bill will earn Democrat House members the wrath of their leaders. But those same Democrat leaders will roll out the welcome mat for those aligned with a group that openly calls for the destruction of America’s free market economy and political system.

Talk is cheap. These actions speak louder than words.

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