Democratic Socialists of America is imploding; faces mass layoffs and major cuts amid internal 'crisis'

Democratic Socialists of America appear to have been so preoccupied with trying to make organizations across America unprofitable that it failed to keep an eye on its own bottom line.

DSA, backed by members of the so-called squad and touted as America's "largest and fastest growing socialist organization," is imploding on account of a seven-figure deficit, infighting, and the prospect of massive layoffs. To stay afloat, the radical group is considering defunding its various chapters and propaganda arms as well as axing senior staff.

Reds in the red

Members of DSA's National Political Committee indicated in a recent proposal that "DSA is in a financial crisis and staff-related costs account for 58% of our total expenditures and 72% of our projected income. ... The current deficit will force us to make a 7-figure budget cuts. This will require us to make painful decisions that will impact all levels of the organization."

NPC committee members Alex Pellitteri, Kristin Schall, and Laura Wadlin suggested that one way to begin climbing out of the hole that socialists have dug for themselves would be for director-level and bargaining unit staff to volunteer to "have their position cut and receive severance."

When that fails, the socialist trio suggested they "will they explore initiating lay-offs."

The trio did not themselves volunteer to have their positions cut. Rather, they claimed elsewhere that the salaries for elected roles should be preserved, suggesting "[l]eadership stipends are not a luxury; they're an essential part of DSA's democratic character."

The NPC members indicated in a post on DSA's Bread and Roses Caucus' blog that they expect DSA to bring $5 million in income and $7 million in expenses in 2024. Their treasurer, John Lewis, apparently recommended maintaining a deficit of $821,000-$921,000 to buy DSA "another year to solve the problem."

Pulling that off would apparently require at least $1.1 million in cuts this budget cycle, which "could mean cutting dues share to chapters, slashing the YDSA budget, foregoing in-person events, slashing committee budgets, slashing NEC grants, slashing publications and literature — nearly everything that gives DSA meaning would be on the chopping block."

Other pinkos have offered alternative proposals for keeping DSA afloat. NPC member Sam Heft-Luthy, for instance, called for an expansion of DSA's hiring freeze.

Seizing moments and displacing blame

The NPC members made sure to displace any possible accountability for their misfortune, instead blaming a "downturn in enthusiasm," alleged financial mismanagement by former DSA directors, and a dearth of "strong figures at the top of the organization to lead with a political vision that inspires people to become committed socialists."

The NPC members indicated further that the DSA dropped the ball on recruitment.

"We're living in a moment when revived labor struggles and the fight for a free Palestine are galvanizing so many Americans, particularly young people," they wrote. "Biden's disastrous policy of fueling Israel's genocide in Gaza has created the kind of space for an independent alternative from the Democratic Party that has not existed since Bernie."

Despite this apparent prime time for an ideology that produced over 100 million corpses in the 20th century, DSA "didn't adequately seize the moment," according to the committee.

Supporting terrorists by default then defaulting

The New York Post noted that some progressive Jewish leftists figure DSA leaders' support for anti-Israel groups and its rhetorical alliance with terrorists may have also hurt their cause.

"DSA long ago fell into the trap of becoming so radical in the name of 'justice' that they abandoned the mission of the progressive movement," said Amanda Berman, executive director of Zioness, a group of Jewish leftists who support Israel.

"After Hamas's brutal invasion of Israel on October 7, DSA doubled down on their strategy of going deep and long on antisemitism, thinking it might get them out of the hole," added Berman.

Hours after Hamas terrorists massacred thousands of unarmed Israelis as well as dozens over Americans, the New York City chapter of the DSA organized a rally in Times Square "[i]n solidarity with the Palestinian people and their right to resist 75 years of occupation and apartheid. FREE PALESTINE!"

Unlike subsequent anti-Israel rallies, this DSA event took place before the bodies of dead Israeli civilians had been counted and prior to Israel's counter-offensive. DSA blamed Israel for the attacks, stressing in a thread still live on its X account, "Today's events are a direct result of Israel's apartheid regime—a regime that receives billions in funding from the United States. ... This was not unprovoked."

"True progressives, whether in the grassroots or in political leadership, will continue rejecting this extremist group and its hateful ideas in the name of true justice and equity, including for Jewish American," said Berman.

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