Rahm Emanuel pleads for the Democratic Party to welcome more ‘McCain-Romney Republicans’

Rahm Emanuel has urged Democrats to welcome moderate Republicans who feel politically homeless under Donald Trump, arguing they could help determine the 2026 midterm elections. The former Obama White House chief of staff says Democrats should build a broad governing coalition and focus on legislation, rather than treating any gains as support for far-left policies.

In a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, Emanuel described voters aligned with former Republican presidential nominees John McCain and Mitt Romney as “free agents” who do not want to be associated with MAGA. He also cautioned against prioritising Democratic Socialists of America policies or impeaching Trump. The White House and Republican National Committee defended Trump’s record and rejected the suggestion that these voters belong in the Democratic coalition.