Former Democratic Socialists of America vice chair Bhaskar Sunkara defends DSA's growing influence and radical platform, including calls to abolish the U.S. Senate. He explains his Marxist views, addressing criticism from a former DSA member about the organization's ideologies. Sunkara discusses DSA candidates pushing progressive demands, like universal healthcare, within the Democratic Party.

Longtime CNN political commentator and Democrat, Van Jones, rebuked far-left activists Saturday, warning that their positions on Hamas, prisons and immigration are regressive and threatened to steer the Democratic Party in the wrong direction as socialist-backed candidates celebrated recent primary victories.

"Yes, we want our Democratic Party to be a big tent. But we don’t need 'party poopers. So STOP pooping in the punch bowl — and telling us the turds are ice cubes," Jones said on X, in reference to his Substack post.

Jones accused some Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) activists of promoting positions involving Hamas, policing, prisons and immigration that he considered outside the progressive movement.

CNN political commentator Van Jones blasted far-left activists on Saturday for pushing what he called "regressive" ideas. (Fox News)

DEM REP HENRY CUELLAR REJECTS DSA AGENDA, SAYS SOCIALISTS ARE TRYING TO 'USE' DEMOCRATIC PARTY

"But some people in groups like the DSA are pushing an agenda FAR outside those ideals. Supporting Hamas is not progressive. 'No police, no prisons, no borders' is not progressive. Celebrating the murder of Israeli civilians is not progressive. These ideas are REGRESSIVE," Jones said.

Jones, a self-proclaimed progressive Democrat, outlined the policies he considered central to that political identity.

"I’m a strong Democrat, with a winning bipartisan track record. I’m rooted in progressive ideals and policies: criminal justice reform, Green New Deal, Medicare for All, free education, clean air and water. These are ideas I have fought for my entire adult life," Jones said.

Van Jones accused some Democratic Socialists of America activists of promoting positions outside traditional progressive priorities. (Photo by Paul Marotta/Getty Images)

WATCH: HOUSE DEMS DODGE QUESTIONS ON SOCIALIST AGENDA THAT THREATENS TO ABOLISH KEY INSTITUTIONS

The ex-administration advisor to former President Barack Obama also rejected the argument that the far-left was merely advocating the type of social democracy practiced in Nordic countries.

"Some defend the far left by claiming they only want Nordic-style social democracy. If that were true, I might applaud them," Jones said. "I want those policies, too! But what does universal healthcare have to do with Hamas? With abolishing all law enforcement? With erasing all borders? With treating every wealthy person as a villain? Ideas matter. And these are terrible ideas."

The DSA's recently released Workers Deserve More program called for shifting police funding to public services as a step toward abolishing police and prisons. The program also advocated abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ending immigration detention and deportations, legalizing migration and granting amnesty to immigrants regardless of status.

Jones warned Democrats against accepting far-left proposals as socialist-backed candidates celebrated recent primary victories. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

'POD SAVE AMERICA' HOSTS CALL SOCIALIST WINS A 'WARNING SIGN' FOR DEMS, SLAM 'MORONIC' FAR-LEFT VIEWS

The platform's foreign policy section called for ending all U.S. military and economic assistance to Israel and establishing a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Jones' criticism came after Democratic socialist Melat Kiros defeated 15-term Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado's Democratic primary. In New York, DSA-backed candidates Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier won congressional primaries, while several candidates endorsed by the organization captured state legislative nominations.

Jones acknowledged the organization’s electoral momentum in an earlier Substack post.

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"The Democratic Socialists of America are winning elections — and sending waves of joy and terror through the Democratic Party. A little historical context might be useful," Jones said.

Jones warned Saturday that mainstream Democrats frustrated with both Republicans and their own party’s establishment could overlook proposals he opposed.

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"Right now, extremists are trying to sneak backwards proposals into our party, hoping mainstream Democrats are too frustrated with MAGA and the Democratic Party establishment to notice. But we see you," Jones said.

CJ Womack is an associate editor at Fox News.

CJ joined Fox News Digital's team in 2026, which highlights the vital role journalism plays in shaping politics and culture. He has years of experience analyzing and reporting on the news media.

CJ graduated from Long Beach State University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Journalism. 

You can send news tips to cj.womack@fox.com and follow CJ on Twitter.

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