DSA Co-Chair Admits Group Wants to Abolish Senate, Prisons, Borders — Iowa Dems Put on Notice

In a stunningly candid interview, the national co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) confirmed the organization's platform calls for abolishing the U.S. Senate, eliminating prisons, and eventually removing all national borders. The admission has sparked fierce backlash from conservatives and put Iowa Democrats on the defensive as the 2026 midterm elections approach.

Speaking to Fox News, DSA co-chair Megan Romer answered a rapid-fire series of questions about the group's policy goals. When asked if the DSA supports abolishing the Senate, Romer responded simply, 'True.' She also affirmed support for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), defunding the Pentagon, phasing out prisons, and shifting most large corporations to public ownership.

Romer described some proposals, including abolishing borders and prisons, as part of the organization's long-term vision.

Iowa Republican Calls Out Local Democrat

The fallout quickly reached Iowa. Joe Mitchell, a Republican candidate for Congress in Iowa's 2nd District, accused Democratic opponent Lindsay James of embracing the same radical policies. Mitchell posted on social media: '@Lindsay4Iowa stands for all of this.'

James' campaign denied the charge. Spokesperson Jackson Smith told Fox News Digital, 'No, Lindsay does not support any of these out of touch, ridiculous, policies. Lobbyist Joe Mitchell is lying about Lindsay again because Joe knows his record of enriching himself at Iowans' expense is disqualifying.'

Mitchell's accusation highlights a growing concern among Iowa conservatives: that DSA-backed candidates are gaining influence in the Midwest, including in the Hawkeye State.

National GOP Leaders Sound Alarm

Republican leaders across the country condemned Romer's remarks. House Speaker Mike Johnson posted on X: 'Read their platform: Abolish the Senate, the Presidency, the Supreme Court and immigration enforcement. Open the border wide. Grant mass amnesty. Defund the Pentagon. The barbarians are inside the gate — and Democrats are WELCOMING them in! Communism is no longer a far-fetched threat. It is here on our SHORES!'

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas wrote simply, 'These people are insane.'

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise warned that DSA-backed candidates are winning races across the country, saying, 'These ideas could be coming to your community sooner than you think.'

Pennsylvania Democrat Breaks Ranks

Even some Democrats distanced themselves from the DSA. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman called out Romer's comments on X, writing: 'This isn't a big tent — it's anarchy. Why can't Dems call out the DSA?'

Fetterman's rebuke underscores a deepening divide within the Democratic Party between moderates and the far-left wing represented by the DSA.

Wisconsin Candidate Under Scrutiny

In neighboring Wisconsin, Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany linked DSA-backed state Representative Francesca Hong to Romer's positions. 'This sounds a lot like DSA-backed Francesca Hong. Does she want to abolish the police? Yep. Does she want to abolish prisons? Absolutely. Did she call for abolishing the U.S. Senate? Yes. Socialism is knocking on Wisconsin's door. This November, we slam it shut,' Tiffany wrote.

Hong's campaign pushed back, with communications director Allison Geyer stating that Hong has never called for abolishing the Senate and that her past comments on police and prison abolition were 'aspirational goals,' not current policy positions. Geyer also noted that Hong is not endorsed by DSA national.

However, Hong's campaign website lists endorsements from the Milwaukee, Northeast Wisconsin, and Madison DSA chapters.

Iowa Voters Should Pay Attention

For Iowa voters, the DSA's radical agenda is no longer theoretical. As the 2026 election cycle heats up, conservatives are urging Iowans to scrutinize candidates who align with or accept support from socialist organizations.

The DSA has made inroads in New York, where two House candidates backed by far-left Representative Ro Khanna defeated incumbent progressive lawmakers. A third open House race saw a Khanna-backed candidate defeat an establishment Democrat.

Virginia Republicans have demanded that all Democrats in their state explicitly denounce the DSA's positions. The Virginia GOP posted on X: 'This is what Virginia Democrats think belongs under their big tent. Every Democrat should be asked to explicitly denounce these insane anti-American positions and the DSA. If they refuse to do so, we know where they stand.'

Tennessee Representative Chuck Fleischmann warned: 'The DSA is a complete inversion of what America stands for. Their movement is a coordinated effort to undermine our nation's values and dismantle the freedoms we hold dear. If we don't stand up, speak up, and defend our country's core values, we could soon find ourselves watching the America we love slip away.'

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman, who has been outspoken against New York City Mayor Eric Adams' socialist policies, asked: 'This is insane. How can anyone vote for a DSA member unless you are an anarchist?'

The DSA did not respond to a request for comment.

What This Means for Iowa

As Iowa Republicans work to hold the line against progressive policies, the DSA's open embrace of abolishing core American institutions gives them a powerful campaign issue. The message is clear: any candidate who accepts DSA support or shares its goals is out of step with Iowa values of limited government, strong borders, and public safety.

Iowa voters should ask their local candidates directly: Do you support the DSA's platform? The answer may determine the future of the state.