Sanders is technically an Independent but he still aligns heavily with the Democrat Party. But that may all be coming to an end.
Because Bernie Sanders just torched the Democrat Party with this one backstabbing statement.
The Democratic Paradox: Sanders Acknowledges Flaws in Party’s Primary Process
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) recently made waves by conceding that the Democratic Party itself poses a “threat to democracy,” a striking admission that emerged during a candid conversation on the Andrew Schulz’s Flagrant with Akaash Singh podcast. The discussion peeled back layers of frustration among Democratic voters, revealing a deep-seated discontent with the party’s primary system, which some argue hasn’t been truly fair since 2008.
Andrew Schulz, a comedian, actor, and podcaster who proudly identifies as a “lifelong Democrat,” didn’t hold back when addressing Sanders. He expressed his heartbreak over Sanders’s decision to endorse Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, a move that left many of his supporters feeling betrayed. For Schulz, the issue ran deeper than a single election. He argued that Democratic voters have been sidelined for years, unable to meaningfully influence who becomes their party’s nominee.
“We felt that over the last four elections, Democrats, we felt that we didn’t have a say on who could be president,” Schulz stated. “We talk a lot about the Republicans being autocrats and oligarchs and taking over democracy, but from the Democrat perspective, and as I’m a lifelong Democrat, I felt like the Democratic Party completely removed the democratic process from its constituents.”
Schulz’s frustration peaked as he recalled the 2016 primaries, when Sanders seemed poised to clinch the nomination. “I wanted you to, like, 2016 I was like, this is going to happen. This guy’s going to do it. And it felt like they, it felt like they stole it from you. And I’ll be honest, it broke my heart when you, when you supported them,” he stated.
The Tough Choice Sanders Faced
Sanders, in response, acknowledged the complexity of his position. He explained that his endorsement of Clinton was not a betrayal but a pragmatic decision born of limited options. “Look, but you have, in the world that I live in, you got a choice,” Sanders said. “And I mean, a lot of people, including my wife, agree with you, but you know, you’re down to a choice. Is it going to be Hillary Clinton or is it going to be Donald Trump? Not a great choice.”
When Schulz pushed back, noting that Trump won anyway and suggesting the system should be burned down, Sanders cautioned against such radical measures. He argued that dismantling the system entirely would have dire consequences.
“Burning it down” means “children are not going to have, you know, food to eat, that the schools will deteriorate. People will not have health care,” Sanders said. As an elected official, he felt a responsibility to represent his constituents and couldn’t simply abandon the system, flawed as it may be.
A Shocking Concession
The conversation took a pivotal turn when co-host Akaash Singh pressed Sanders on the implications of the Democratic Party’s actions. “But then could not, could we not also say if, ostensibly, there hasn’t been a fair primary for the Democrats since 2008, are they not also a threat to democracy?” Singh asked.
Caught in the moment’s clarity, Sanders couldn’t deflect. “Fair enough,” he said. “That is, that is — yeah. I’m not going to argue with that.” His agreement was a rare moment of candor, aligning with the frustrations voiced by Schulz and countless Democratic voters who feel their voices have been stifled with how unhinged the party has become.
“There hasn't been a fair primary for the Democrats since 2008. Are they not also a threat to democracy?”
Bernie Sanders: “Yeah, I'm not going to argue with that”
— America (@america) May 19, 2025
Hypocrisy in the Spotlight
Sanders’s admission is particularly jarring given his past rhetoric. Over the years, he has repeatedly accused President Donald Trump and the Republican Party of endangering democracy. In 2020, Sanders labeled Trump “the greatest threat to this country in the modern history of this country” and warned that authoritarianism had “taken root in our country.” Yet, his own party’s actions have drawn scrutiny for similar reasons.
The Biden administration, for instance, faced criticism for sweeping government overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic, including policies that threatened personal freedoms and job security. More recently, the Democratic Party’s decision to replace President Joe Biden with Vice President Kamala Harris as their 2024 nominee, just months before the election, further fueled perceptions of an undemocratic process. This move sidelined the candidate Democratic voters had chosen, reinforcing the sense that party elites, not voters, hold the reins.
Sanders’s acknowledgment on Flagrant shines a light on a growing tension within the Democratic Party. As voters like Schulz demand accountability and fairness, the party faces a reckoning. Can it claim to champion democracy while its own primary process leaves supporters feeling powerless? For now, Sanders’s words serve as both an admission and a challenge—one that could spark a much-needed conversation about the future of democracy within the Democratic Party.
Stay tuned to the Conservative Column.
