Alan Dershowitz Breaks with Democrats, Pledges to Campaign for Republicans Over “Left-Wing Extremism”

Prominent legal scholar and longtime Democrat Alan Dershowitz has publicly declared that he will actively campaign for Republican candidates in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. The announcement, made during an appearance Tuesday on Newsmax, marks a major political shift for the Harvard Law professor, who has spent over 60 years affiliated with the Democratic Party.

Dershowitz attributed his departure from the party to what he describes as a disturbing trend toward ideological extremism and intolerance for dissent. Speaking with Greta Van Susteren on The Record, he expressed concern over what he sees as a growing abandonment of constitutional values and due process among Democratic leadership.

“I’ve been a Democrat for over six decades,” Dershowitz said. “But the party I supported no longer exists. What we’re seeing now is a dangerous move toward the far left — and it deeply threatens the principles I’ve spent my life defending.”

From Civil Liberties Advocate to Republican Campaigner

Dershowitz clarified that his decision is not based on a newfound love for the Republican agenda. Rather, it stems from a growing fear of what Democratic control of Congress could mean for civil liberties, free speech, and judicial fairness.

“It’s not about loving Republican policies,” he said. “It’s about preventing a takeover by a faction of the Democratic Party that is increasingly authoritarian. If they take back control of the House or Senate, I worry about who they’ll appoint as committee chairs, what kind of inquisitions they’ll conduct, and how far they’ll go in suppressing opposing views.”

He likened the current political climate within the Democratic Party to a new form of McCarthyism, referencing the era in the 1950s when fear-driven congressional investigations targeted alleged communists in the U.S. government and cultural institutions.

Targeting Trump While Ignoring Principles?

Dershowitz also took issue with the Democratic Party’s persistent focus on attacking former President Donald Trump. He argued that rather than engaging in meaningful policy debates or promoting ideas that resonate with the American public, Democrats have become singularly obsessed with undermining Trump.

“The only thing they seem to care about is hurting Trump — even if it means throwing constitutional protections under the bus,” Dershowitz said.

He pointed to recent inflammatory rhetoric used by prominent Democrats, including former Vice President Kamala Harris and Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett, as evidence of the party’s increasing reliance on personal attacks rather than substance. Harris previously called Trump a “fascist” during the 2024 campaign, while Crockett compared him to Adolf Hitler.

A Lone Voice of Principle?

While critical of most of the Democratic establishment, Dershowitz did single out one lawmaker he still respects: Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman. He praised Fetterman for demonstrating a commitment to bipartisan principles and maintaining a level of honesty he sees as rare among his peers.

“Senator Fetterman stands out as someone who still believes in principle over partisanship,” Dershowitz said. “Unfortunately, he’s the exception, not the rule.”

Trump’s Steady Support and 2026 Outlook

Dershowitz’s announcement comes at a time when former President Trump continues to enjoy stable public support. According to CNN’s senior data analyst Harry Enten, Trump holds a consistent 43% approval rating, with more than half of voters saying they believe he is keeping his campaign promises — particularly on issues like immigration, inflation, and public safety.

Though Democrats currently hold a slight edge in generic congressional polling — with the New York Times showing a 2-point lead and Yahoo/YouGov reporting a 4-point lead — many experts say Trump’s resilience could spell trouble for Democrats in the midterms. Earlier in 2024, the Democratic Party’s approval rating dipped below 30%, raising questions about its long-term political strategy.

The Epstein Shadow Still Lingers

Separately, Dershowitz stirred controversy earlier this year with remarks he made regarding the late Jeffrey Epstein. During a March appearance on The Sean Spicer Show, he claimed to possess knowledge about a list of Epstein’s alleged clients but said he was legally barred from revealing their names.

“I know who they are. I know who’s keeping those names suppressed,” he said. “But I’m under a confidentiality order from the courts, so I can’t talk about it publicly.”

Dershowitz has long maintained that he was falsely accused in relation to Epstein’s crimes and has denied any wrongdoing.

The Trump administration initially pledged to release all Epstein-related information but later reversed course in April. The Justice Department stated that no new significant details remain unreleased and denied any ongoing conspiracy regarding Epstein’s death.