As Democratic socialists, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, gain ground within the Democratic Party, former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel argued that socialists have less influence over his party than Republicans contend.Emanuel, the former mayor of Chicago and, at one point, President Barack Obama’s right-hand man, distanced himself from the more radical positions of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) while suggesting that the group could have a place within the party if it adopted more moderate positions."I don't believe the socialists are a wing," he told the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast."I think they are a separate party.
They believe in defunding the police, which is not the party position.They believe open borders and open prisons.
That's not the party’s position."RAHM EMANUEL WARNS ‘BERNIE BROS’ COULD SINK DEMOCRATS BY SADDLING MODERATES WITH SOCIALIST AGENDARahm Emanuel speaks during the Inaugural Events Of The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library on July 03, 2026 in Medora, North Dakota.(Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library)"When you switch that, we can talk," Emanuel added.Conservatives have expressed concern over the rise of far-left, progressive candidates within the Democratic Party, warning that socialist-leaning politicians like Mamdani and Rep.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., could overtake party moderates.MAMDANI, TOUTING RI SOCIALIST’S VICTORY, ANSWERS QUESTION OF ‘WHAT IS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY?’Emanuel pushed back on the Republican Party’s characterization of the Democratic Party’s trajectory, pointing to New Jersey Gov.Mikie Sherrill and Virginia Gov.
Abigail Spanberger as examples of Democratic pragmatism.Members of the Democratic Socialists of America gather outside of a Trump owned building during a May Day rally in New York City in 2019.(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)"I don't think that's where the party is," Emanuel said.
"I think the party is in t...