'Not the party of JFK or Obama': Leavitt accuses Dems of embracing 'far-left, extreme liberals'

Karoline Leavitt accused Democrats of backing 'terrible policies' and claimed the party is divided over its progressive direction ahead of November
Karoline Leavitt praised Donald Trump's policies as making America safer and more affordable, while warning against Democrats ahead of the midterm elections (Getty Images, AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Karoline Leavitt praised Donald Trump's policies as making America safer and more affordable, while warning against Democrats ahead of the midterm elections (Getty Images, AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON, DC: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt didn’t hold back during a recent interview with Sean Hannity. She claimed the Democratic Party has drifted far from the days of its past presidents and now leans heavily on its most progressive members.

"I believe there are millions of Americans across this country who see these Democrats for who they are," Leavitt said.

"These are radical, extreme liberals, socialists, communists, whatever you want to call them, Sean. What matters most are their extreme policy positions."

Karoline Leavitt slams Democratic Party policies

Leavitt criticized what she sees as the Democratic Party's new direction.

She accused Democrats of supporting higher taxes, calling to defund or abolish police departments, opposing private prisons, and favoring less strict enforcement along the southern border.



Leavitt drew a direct contrast with past Democratic leaders, saying, "This is no longer the Democratic Party of JFK. Heck, this is not even the Democratic Party of Barack Obama.

“This is a party that has been totally captivated by these far-left, extreme liberals."

"Who support massively raising your taxes, who support abolishing the police, who support abolishing private prisons, and who support reopening our southern border and our nation's borders to illegal alien criminals from all over the world," she said, framing these positions as representative of the party's current mainstream rather than its fringe.

Karoline Leavitt credits Trump for safer America

Leavitt also criticized the Biden administration, arguing that Americans experienced the consequences of these progressive policies during Joe Biden's four years in office.

President Donald Trump talks with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, Friday, July 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
President Donald Trump talks with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, Friday, July 24, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr)

“We had 4 years of that under Joe Biden.”

“Thanks to President Trump and Republicans and common sense policies across the board, our country is safer. Our country is more affordable. We cannot allow these radical, extreme, far-left liberals to take power!"

Her comments align with the message the Trump campaign has consistently pushed ahead of the midterm elections.

The campaign has sought to portray Democrats as being driven by their most progressive members, even as some centrist Democrats have attempted to distance themselves from positions such as defunding the police or abolishing ICE.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: U.S. President Donald Trump and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt arrive to a press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on January 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Leavitt was joined by President Trump days after the president threatened a 10% import tax on goods from eight European countries that have rallied around Denmark amid Trump's calls for the U.S. to take control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt arrive to a press briefing in the James S Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on January 20, 2026 in Washington, DC (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

"These are radical Democrats who support terrible policies across the board. Again, taking away your private property, abolishing the police, banning prisons, and just allowing complete lawlessness."

Her remarks come as Democrats remain divided over how much to embrace the party's progressive wing, with outspoken socialists and more cautious moderates competing to shape its direction ahead of November.

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