US Socialist Movement Faces Deepening Divisions Amid Growth

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a prominent left-wing movement in the U.S., is experiencing significant internal strife as its popularity surges. A key point of contention is the potential 2028 presidential candidacy of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is known for her strong criticism of Israel. Some within the DSA view her as too establishment and question her suitability to represent the movement.

Internal debates are intensifying over who should represent the DSA and what policies it should champion. This comes at a time when the socialist left, and the DSA in particular, are seeing unprecedented political success and record membership growth. However, this increased public visibility has also led to criticism of the leadership's handling of key issues and its public messaging.

Critics within the organization argue that the DSA leadership is wasting a significant opportunity by focusing on controversial or seemingly obscure topics like abolishing the Senate, Fidel Castro, and police reform, rather than capitalizing on the momentum generated by figures like Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders, and Ro Khanna. "This is a wasted opportunity," one strategist commented, suggesting the organization should be expanding its reach through prominent figures.

Recent actions by the DSA have further fueled these divisions. A new national platform released in July proposed controversial ideas such as abolishing the U.S. Senate, defunding the Department of Defense, and completely dismantling the police and prison systems. Several DSA-aligned politicians, including Ocasio-Cortez, distanced themselves from these proposals. Additionally, public appearances by DSA leaders, such as national co-chair Megan Romer struggling to explain certain stances on podcasts, and a statement commemorating Fidel Castro, have drawn sharp criticism and highlighted perceived weaknesses in articulating the movement's positions.

The potential presidential run of Ocasio-Cortez in 2028 has become a focal point of the internal struggle. While she is a prominent figure critical of Israel, some local chapters, like the New York City DSA, have opposed national DSA efforts to exert greater control over the presidential nomination process, viewing it as an attempt to block a swift endorsement of Ocasio-Cortez. Ocasio-Cortez herself has also distanced herself from the national DSA, clarifying she is only a member of the New York City local chapter.

Further complicating matters, some ideological factions within the DSA, such as a Marxist-Leninist-Maoist faction, have explicitly rejected the idea of Ocasio-Cortez as a future standard-bearer, citing her record as "consistent opportunism." Despite these deep divisions, long-time members acknowledge that internal factionalism and debate have always been characteristic of the DSA, viewing the current turmoil as a natural part of the organization's expansion and increased public profile.