MSNBC anchor Joe Scarborough has urged Democrats to publicly condemn what he described as "socialist radicals" within their party, warning that if they do not define themselves, Donald Trump will do so. Scarborough made these remarks during his program "Morning Joe," stating that Democrats must "speak truth to its most extreme base" to avoid allowing a small faction to drive more voters toward the former president.
"Because Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, every other Democrat in Washington, DC, make no mistake of it – if you don’t define your party today, Donald Trump will be sure to define it in November!" Scarborough stated. His comments followed a reaction to a clip of Fox News host Shannon Bream interviewing Megan Romer, co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
During the interview, Romer reportedly affirmed that democratic socialists aim to eliminate the Senate, replace the Supreme Court, defund the Pentagon, open borders, grant amnesty to migrants, abolish prisons, and seize public companies. Scarborough expressed incredulity at these statements, citing Maya Angelou's quote, "when somebody shows you who they are, believe them the first time." He argued that Romer's "complete conviction" in her responses was disqualifying for a party that often frames itself around healthcare and tax reform.
Scarborough, a former Republican congressman, stated that while he supports internal party debate, there is a distinction between improving a party and asking it to abandon its core principles. He praised the Democratic Party for its historical stances against the January 6 Capitol riot, for advocating for civil rights, balancing budgets, enacting the Affordable Care Act, and for its current efforts against what he called "Trump’s anti-democracy forces."
However, he contended that defending democracy requires condemning positions that call for abolishing governmental institutions like the Senate, House, presidency, and Supreme Court. He also referenced calls to release prisoners and reduce spending on national defense and border security. Scarborough concluded by saying that Democrats have historically loved their country while striving for a "more perfect union" without seeking to "burn it to the ground."
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has supported DSA initiatives such as city-owned grocery stores and increased taxes on the wealthy, has been linked to some of these DSA plans. The notes also mention Darializa Chevalier, a DSA-backed candidate running for New York’s 13th District.