This is insane.
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are facing sharp criticism after a recent workshop in New York City challenged the U.S. Constitution and promoted sweeping changes to America’s system of government. The event has renewed debate over how far some activists on the political left are willing to go in their push to reshape the nation’s founding institutions.
Held at the DSA’s Lower East Side headquarters, the event—titled “How to Write a Constitution”—brought together activists to discuss replacing or fundamentally rewriting the country’s governing framework. The workshop is part of a broader effort by some progressive groups to eliminate long-standing institutions such as the Electoral College, the U.S. Senate, the Supreme Court, and even the presidency.
The featured speaker, Boston College law professor Aziz Rana, argued that the Constitution no longer serves the goals of modern democratic reform.
Speaking to attendees, Rana claimed the constitutional system is moving toward authoritarianism and is incompatible with the type of political change many activists want to achieve. He also argued that the nation’s founding document contains deeply undemocratic features and has historically favored property owners while granting excessive power to government.
Rana has become a prominent voice within progressive activist circles. His 2024 book, The Constitutional Bind: How Americans Came to Idolize a Document that Fails Them, has been promoted by the Democratic Socialists of America as an important guide for advancing left-wing political activism.
The workshop quickly turned into a broader criticism of America’s founding principles.
One attendee described the U.S. Constitution as “a rationalization of a pirate kingdom,” arguing that the country’s early history was rooted in conquest and exploitation. Others criticized America’s historical traditions, claiming ideas such as Manifest Destiny reflected an unjust system that benefited European settlers at the expense of others.
Participants also debated major changes to the nation’s election system.
One attendee argued that voter registration should be abolished altogether, saying every mentally competent American over the age of 18 should automatically be eligible to vote without registering. Others expressed similar concerns about the current election process, suggesting that existing voting requirements should be dramatically reduced.
The event comes as the Democratic Socialists of America continues to push candidates toward embracing its broader political platform. Earlier this month, the organization adopted stricter endorsement standards requiring candidates seeking DSA support to back more of its policy agenda, a move that could place additional pressure on high-profile progressive lawmakers in future election cycles.
Critics say proposals discussed during the workshop go far beyond ordinary political debate and would fundamentally alter the constitutional safeguards that have defined the United States for nearly 250 years.
Former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland defended the nation’s constitutional structure, arguing that America’s founders intentionally designed a system of checks and balances to prevent any single political movement from accumulating too much power.
Sondland argued that the Senate, Electoral College, and the separation of powers were intentionally built into the Constitution rather than being accidental flaws. He said the Founding Fathers recognized that unchecked majority rule can become just as dangerous as unchecked monarchy, adding that many people believe they can improve on James Madison’s design until they find themselves on the losing side of the political process.
Supporters of the Constitution argue that institutions such as the Senate, Electoral College, and Supreme Court were created to protect individual liberty, preserve federalism, and prevent rapid swings in political power. They contend these constitutional safeguards remain essential to maintaining the balance envisioned by the nation’s founders.
The controversy has once again highlighted the growing divide over America’s future. While progressive activists argue that the Constitution should be fundamentally reworked to reflect modern priorities, many conservatives view such proposals as a direct challenge to the principles that have preserved the American republic for generations.
As debate over constitutional reform continues, the workshop has fueled new concerns among critics who believe that attacks on the nation’s founding document are becoming increasingly common within the activist left—and that preserving the Constitution will remain a defining issue in the years ahead.
