SerpApi.Org
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) is hitting back at attacks from his own colleagues after he called out the democratic socialist wing of his party.
In a post on X, Gottheimer on Monday attempted to distinguish members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) from Democrats.
The New Jersey Democrat described the DSA movement as socialists who “want to hijack the Democratic Party” — comments made as progressive allies of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) have seen electoral success in their primaries in recent weeks.
“The Democrats have a big tent. That’s our strength,” Gottheimer said. “We embrace a range of ideas — but there’s no room for anti-American bomb-throwers who oppose our ideas, values, & leaders."
His post comes as President Donald Trump and other Republican lawmakers have equated democratic socialism to a threat of communism ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) moved to criticize Gottheimer on Tuesday, asking, “What about Dems who sign bombs and vote to drop them?”
Gottheimer quickly fired back, writing minutes later: “You know that’s the other Jewish guy named Josh, right?”
Lee’s response was also hit with a community note that included a video of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) physically signing 155-millimeter howitzer rounds, which are large artillery shells, next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
In the video from September 2024, Shapiro was signing “some of the most vital equipment for Ukraine’s defense against Russia,” according to Pennsylvania’s Department of Community & Economic Development.
It didn’t stop Rep. Ilhan Omar from jumping in, claiming to Gottheimer that Shapiro “signed the bombs you voted to be dropped.”
“Hope this helps!” Omar added.
Gottheimer then quipped: “Ilhan, you know who else voted for it? You.”
He attached the roll call from the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act from that year, which allowed the U.S. military to replenish its inventories and provide direct economic and humanitarian aid. It includes “yea” votes from him, Omar and Lee.
Neither Omar nor Lee had responded to Gottheimer as of early Wednesday afternoon.
A number of journalists weighed in, including some who said that Shapiro was at an event for Ukraine — not Israel.
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