Key facts
- The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is a left-wing political group with over 100,000 members.
- DSA gained significant influence after Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's 2018 House victory.
- The organization advocates for policies including Medicare for All, free higher education, and public ownership of key industries.
- DSA calls for an end to U.S. military and economic aid to Israel.
- The group supports higher taxes on the wealthy, corporations, and inheritances.
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a left-wing political group, has significantly increased its influence within the U.S. Democratic Party, particularly since 2016. Founded in 1982, the organization saw a surge in membership and visibility following Bernie Sanders' unsuccessful presidential bid, which consolidated the party's left wing. DSA members have since won several high-profile elections, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's upset victory for a New York House seat in 2018, and more recently, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Washington, D.C. mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George.
The DSA describes itself as the largest socialist organization in U.S. history, with over 100,000 members. The group has endorsed 150 candidates across various levels of government this year, claiming 38 wins and 38 losses to date. President Donald Trump has characterized DSA-backed candidates as "communist," a label the DSA rejects.
DSA's platform advocates for policies that go beyond traditional European democratic socialism, aiming for state control of major industries and a system where "ordinary people have a voice," while rejecting the authoritarianism of communist governments. Key policy positions include "Medicare for All," free higher education, universal rent control, higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, a 32-hour work week, significant infrastructure and green energy investments, and public ownership of transportation and natural resources.
The organization has also taken strong stances on foreign policy, notably advocating for an end to U.S. military and economic aid to Israel, which it labels an apartheid state. DSA calls for a withdrawal from Arab lands, a "right of return" for displaced people, and a "right to resist" Israeli occupation. The group stated the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack was "not unprovoked" and a "direct result of Israel's apartheid regime."
Further policy proposals include dramatically loosened immigration policies, ending sanctions on countries like Cuba and Venezuela, slashing the U.S. military budget, closing overseas bases, and replacing the Electoral College with a direct popular vote.