Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz announced in a Newsmax interview on Tuesday that, after being a Democrat for 60 years, he plans to actively support Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.
Dershowitz criticized Democrats for what he views as extreme rhetoric directed at President Donald Trump, noting that former Vice President Kamala Harris labeled him a “fascist” during the 2024 campaign. He also referenced Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s remarks that equated Trump to “Hitler.” In his appearance on “Records with Greta Van Susteren,” Dershowitz argued that Democrats are leaning into political extremism. He expressed his disappointment, saying that the party’s shift forced him to abandon the principles he once supported.
“They [Democrats] failed to convince the American public that they deserve to lead. That’s why, after my long history as a Democrat, I feel compelled to support Republicans working hard to keep their majority in Congress. It isn’t so much about embracing Republican policies as it is about the fear of Democrats gaining control,” Dershowitz explained to Van Susteren. He raised concerns about potential appointments to leadership positions and what he perceives as a rise in a form of McCarthyism that reminds him of the 1950s.
He pointed to Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman as one of the rare Democrats who still values principles and bipartisanship.
“It’s like a left-wing sort of McCarthyism. With few exceptions, like Senator Fetterman, there’s little integrity and bipartisanship in the current Democratic landscape,” Dershowitz commented.
He also lamented that the Democratic Party appears to be pull towards the far left, saying, “I wish more of his colleagues would adopt his approach, but they seem more interested in attacking President Trump.”
On another note, CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten shared that 52% of voters believe Trump is delivering on his promises from the 2024 election. He noted Trump’s consistent approval rating of 43%, which reflects public sentiment on critical issues like inflation and crime.
As of October 2024, Trump maintains a 44% approval rating, which could pose a significant challenge for Democrats leading into the 2026 midterm elections. Recent polling suggests that Democrats hold a narrow edge in popular votes, with the New York Times and Yahoo/YouGov showing slight leads of two and four points, respectively.
