DSA demands new Dem leadership during NYC victory lap after midterms blowout: ‘We’re calling the shots’

The Democratic Socialists of America did a victory lap through Manhattan on Saturday, claiming credit over Election Day’s blue tsunami and demanding new leadership in the House and Senate if traditional Democrats don’t back their pet causes.

“We don’t want corporate Dems in there,” said Connie Cooper of Connecticut, who was among the hundreds of rebel rousers who marched a mile from Times Square to Seventh Avenue and 14^th Street. “We’re calling the shots.”

“It’s not enough to just keep the status quo. That’s not what people want,” added Cooper, who was carrying a sign reading “New Majority Leader.”

DSA leaders have made it no secret they feel both incoming presumptive House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and incoming presumptive Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are too centrist.

Protestors also demanded Congress’ incoming Democratic leadership keep U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers out of the Big Apple.

“Jeffries, Schumer let’s be clear ICE is not wanted here,” they barked.

More coverage of the 2026 midterm elections:

• Live updates on the midterm elections
• NY suburbs’ last GOP strongholds flip as blue wave makes history on Long Island, Westchester
• Dems prep anti-Trump blitz during first 100 hours when they take back Congress
• Dem House majority swells to Obama-era levels as more GOP incumbents are wiped out
• NY’s top 5 most expensive House races include a whopping $308M in total spending

The “March for Our Democracy: The Fight Isn’t Over” rally was sponsored by a slew of far-left groups, including the NYC DSA chapter and Make the Road New York, as well as a few city unions, including the United Federation of Teachers and the Professional Staff Congress-CUNY, according to a rally flyer.