Democratic heavyweight has a message for socialists: ‘Start your own party’

WASHINGTON, DC: Former Obama White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has thrown down a blunt challenge to the Democratic Party’s socialist wing, telling them to form their own party and take their agenda directly to voters.

The former Chicago mayor, who is openly weighing a 2028 presidential bid, made clear during a television interview that he does not believe Democratic Socialists should be allowed to take over the party.

Emanuel has increasingly positioned himself as a voice for Democrats seeking a more pragmatic path, while his possible White House ambitions remain in the background.

Emanuel challenges socialists to compete

Asked about streamer Hasan Piker and Sen Bernie Sanders' argument that socialism represents the Democratic Party’s future, Emanuel said he considers Democratic Socialists a separate political force.

He cited positions he associated with the movement, including defunding the police, opening borders, releasing prisoners  and eliminating the Pentagon. 

“If you’re so confident people want that, I’ll see you in November,” Emanuel said. “Put it on the ballot. Let’s go run as a separate party.”

He then delivered his clearest warning yet about the battle over the party’s direction: “The Democratic Party is not open to be taken over.”

Emanuel’s comments come as Sanders and his allies have argued that progressive and socialist candidates are gaining traction with voters frustrated by the political establishment.

Sanders recently said Americans were “sick and tired” of figures like Emanuel and were looking for a different direction.

Common ground, but different solutions

Despite his sharp disagreement with the socialist movement, Emanuel said the party’s progressive and pragmatic wings share a central concern: the economic pressures facing working- and middle-class Americans.

He said Democrats should have a “good, solid debate” over how to make homeownership attainable, help families save for retirement and education, and make healthcare a source of “peace of mind.”

Emanuel credited progressives with putting forward ideas, saying some deserved support even though he disagreed with others.

He also outlined priorities he believes should be part of the party’s future, including a ban on social media for children under 16, investment in energy infrastructure and a mandatory retirement age of 75 for public officials across all three branches of government.

Why Emanuel wants broader victories

The former Illinois congressman argued that Democrats cannot build national power by simply becoming more dominant in districts they already control.

“There’s no way you’re going to get there turning a blue district to midnight blue,” he said. 

Instead, Emanuel pointed to Democratic victories in competitive and Republican-leaning states as examples of how major legislation gets passed. 

He cited former Nebraska Sen Ben Nelson’s role in passing the Affordable Care Act and former West Virginia Sen Joe Manchin’s importance to major energy legislation.

With seven states and roughly 500,000 voters deciding the last three presidential elections, Emanuel said Democrats must persuade independent voters and compete outside their safest political territory.

The 2028 fight moves closer

Emanuel also used the interview to signal how he would approach a possible presidential campaign, describing himself as someone focused on winning elections and turning policy proposals into law.

“If I decide to run,” he said, “I’m not a peacetime consul. I’m a wartime general.”

The 66-year-old Democrat has said he is considering a 2028 run, and his recent travels and policy proposals have fueled speculation about his political future.