The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) national co-chair Megan Romer publicly embraced a sweeping agenda that includes abolishing the Senate, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), national borders, prisons, and the Pentagon, along with replacing the presidency and Supreme Court. In an interview on Fox News Sunday, Romer responded with affirmations when asked whether the organization supports dismantling these major American institutions, laying bare the movement’s long-term goals as internal Democratic Party infighting intensifies.
Romer characterized the Senate as an outdated institution rooted in the British House of Lords, arguing that it was designed to limit the influence of ordinary Americans. She advocated for replacing the current bicameral legislature with a significantly expanded unicameral body. On the question of national borders, she described their eventual elimination as part of the DSA’s long-term vision, alongside granting amnesty to people living in the country illegally. She also endorsed phasing out prisons and shifting most large corporations to public ownership.
The DSA’s positions have drawn growing criticism from prominent Democrats who warn that embracing such radical proposals risks alienating mainstream voters. As ideological divisions within the party widen, figures like Romer are increasingly vocal about transforming fundamental aspects of American governance. The interview comes amid a broader debate about the role of democratic socialism in the Democratic coalition, with some party leaders arguing that the DSA should form its own political party rather than running candidates on the Democratic ballot line.
Romer defended the DSA’s strategy of fielding candidates under the Democratic Party label, citing the difficulty third parties face in gaining ballot access under current election laws. She argued that voters overwhelmingly choose DSA-aligned candidates when given the opportunity, and that the ballot line itself is less important than the policies and values represented. The remarks highlight the tension between the DSA’s radical platform and the Democratic Party’s broader electoral strategy, which often seeks to appeal to centrist and independent voters.
The DSA’s influence has been evident in several high-profile primary races. In Michigan, progressive Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who has been endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, received a $3,000 contribution from popular children's YouTube educator Rachel Griffin Accurso, known as Ms. Rachel. The donation drew scrutiny from the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which accused both figures of promoting a socialist agenda. El-Sayed has called for an arms embargo against Israel and accused the country of genocide in Gaza, positions that have further divided the Democratic primary electorate.
As democratic socialist candidates gain traction in Democratic primaries, the party faces an ongoing struggle to define its ideological identity. Romer’s explicit endorsement of abolishing the Senate, ICE, and borders underscores the deep policy rifts within the coalition. While the DSA frames its proposals as necessary steps toward a more equitable society, centrist Democrats and Republicans alike view them as extreme and out of step with the American electorate. The coming election cycles will test whether these radical positions strengthen the progressive wing or push swing voters toward more moderate alternatives.
