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Former DSA member alleges communists have ‘captured’ socialist group, warns Democratic Party is next
A former member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Jake Altman, has claimed that communist and Leninist factions have effectively taken control of the organisation, and warned that similar tactics could be used to influence the Democratic Party more broadly. His remarks, made in a Fox News interview, add to a wider debate within American politics about the growing visibility of democratic socialist figures and their relationship with the mainstream Democratic Party.
Altman pointed to internal DSA developments, including the removal of a provision that had previously barred Leninists from membership, as evidence of the group's radicalisation by more extreme, communist-aligned caucuses. The article situates his comments within a broader Fox News narrative featuring other Democratic figures, such as Representative Henry Cuellar, who has also pushed back against the DSA's agenda and accused socialists of seeking to co-opt the party for their own ends.
In short
- Ex-DSA member says communists have 'captured' the socialist organisation
- Cites removal of rule barring Leninists as evidence of radicalisation
- Warns similar influence could extend to the Democratic Party
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The removal of membership barriers against Leninists and communist-aligned factions represents a significant shift in the DSA's character and reflects the ascendancy of more ideologically extreme elements within the organisation. This procedural change, combined with growing influence of these caucuses, legitimately raises concerns about whether democratic socialist goals are being subordinated to more revolutionary communist objectives that the broader Democratic Party and electorate would reject. The strategic implications warrant scrutiny: if such factional consolidation can succeed within the DSA, similar tactics could target mainstream Democratic structures, potentially shifting the party's direction without broader democratic consent.
The case against
The DSA remains a democratic organisation with open internal debate among various socialist tendencies, and removing artificial barriers to membership represents a commitment to ideological inclusivity rather than capture by any single faction. Different approaches to socialism can coexist within a diverse membership organisation, and robust democratic processes ensure no single group unilaterally controls direction. Characterising acceptance of ideological diversity as sinister capture misrepresents normal organisational evolution and overstates the threat such a small group poses to the Democratic Party, which remains far larger and structurally insulated from the DSA's internal decisions.
Explained simply
The Democratic Socialists of America is a large advocacy organisation that has grown significantly in prominence over the past decade, often backing left-leaning candidates and policies. The group has become increasingly visible within progressive circles, prompting both internal debate about its direction and external criticism from those who regard it as too radical.
Within the DSA, there are differing factions with competing ideologies. A rule that previously barred Leninist communists from membership has been removed, allowing for broader participation from more radical socialist elements. This change has led some former members to argue the organisation has shifted further left than before.
The tension around the DSA reflects a broader debate about how far left the Democratic Party should move and what influence socialist organisations should wield over its direction. As democratic socialist candidates have won office and gained profile, some Democrats have expressed concerns about whether the party's mainstream is being pulled further left than the general electorate might prefer.