Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a leading progressive voice in American politics, issued a candid critique of the Democratic Party during an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, warning that the party lacks a "vision for the future."
Sanders, joined by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, is currently traveling across the country on what they have dubbed the "Fighting Oligarchy Tour," aimed at rallying grassroots support for political and economic reforms.
Rather than attempting to launch a third party, Sanders insisted that their goal is to "strengthen democracy" from within, by energizing voters, building coalitions, and pushing for a bold progressive agenda.
"Our job is not to start a third party," Sanders said. "Our job is to invigorate and transform the Democratic Party so that it becomes a party of working people, a party that takes on the billionaire class, a party that has a vision for the future."
Sanders’s comments reflect growing frustration among progressive leaders and activists who feel that the Democratic Party has failed to offer a compelling alternative to the status quo.
While the party continues to campaign against Republican extremism, critics like Sanders argue that merely being the "lesser of two evils" is not enough to inspire voters or solve the nation’s deep-seated problems.
"There is a lot of fear about what the Republicans are doing, and rightly so," Sanders said. "But fear is not enough. People need hope. They need to know that there is a plan to improve their lives, to tackle inequality, to deal with climate change, to make health care a right, to protect democracy itself."
The "Fighting Oligarchy Tour" has taken Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez to cities and towns across the country, where they have met with local activists, union workers, students, and community leaders. Their message is clear: real change will not come from the top down but from the grassroots up.
Ocasio-Cortez, who also spoke during the tour events, echoed Sanders’s concerns about the Democratic Party’s direction.
"The Democratic Party has to be more than just 'we are not Trump'," Ocasio-Cortez said. "It has to be about what we are for. It has to be about delivering for working families, about building an economy that works for everyone, about ensuring that our democracy is responsive to ordinary people and not just the wealthy and powerful."
The tour comes at a critical time for the Democratic Party, which faces significant challenges ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Polls show declining enthusiasm among key Democratic constituencies, particularly young voters, voters of color, and working-class Americans.
At the same time, dissatisfaction with both major parties is running high, and trust in government institutions continues to erode. Sanders warned that unless Democrats offer a bold and inspiring vision, they risk losing ground to the right-wing populism that has fueled the rise of figures like Donald Trump.
"Despair breeds demagoguery," Sanders said. "When people feel that no one is fighting for them, that no one is listening to them, they become vulnerable to those who offer easy answers and scapegoats. The way to defeat authoritarianism is not just by condemning it but by offering a real alternative."
Throughout the interview and the tour, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez laid out what they see as the pillars of that alternative. Chief among them is economic justice. Sanders called for a $20 minimum wage, stronger labor protections, higher taxes on the wealthy, universal health care, affordable housing initiatives, and student debt cancellation.
"At a time when three people own more wealth than the bottom half of America, when corporations are making record profits while workers are struggling to pay rent and buy groceries, we have to have the guts to stand up and say enough is enough," Sanders said.
Another major focus is combating climate change, which Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez both describe as an existential threat. They advocate for a Green New Deal, massive investments in renewable energy, and a just transition for workers currently employed in fossil fuel industries.
Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the urgency of climate action, particularly for young people. "Our generation understands that this is not some far-off problem," she said. "It is happening now. Wildfires, hurricanes, droughts, extreme weather — it is here. And we have a moral obligation to act boldly and decisively."
On the issue of democracy itself, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez warned about the corrosive influence of money in politics and the ongoing efforts to undermine voting rights. They called for public financing of elections, an end to gerrymandering, protections for voting access, and stronger regulations to prevent disinformation.
"We cannot have a functioning democracy when billionaires can buy elections," Sanders said. "We need to restore power to the people."
The pair also touched on foreign policy, criticizing endless wars, excessive military spending, and interventionist policies that, they argue, have often made the world less safe rather than more secure. They called for a foreign policy rooted in diplomacy, human rights, and international cooperation.
While Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have often clashed with the Democratic establishment, they were clear that they see their efforts as part of a larger movement to reclaim and revitalize the party, not to destroy it.
"This is about fighting for the soul of the Democratic Party," Ocasio-Cortez said. "It is about making sure that it truly represents the people it claims to stand for."
Some Democratic leaders have welcomed the energy and passion that Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez bring, viewing it as essential to mobilizing the base. Others, however, worry that the progressive push could alienate moderate voters and make it harder to win competitive districts.
Sanders dismissed those concerns, arguing that policies like Medicare for All, tuition-free college, and a Green New Deal are widely popular among the American public.
"It is not radical to say that health care is a human right," Sanders said. "It is not radical to say that every young person deserves an education without being saddled with debt. It is not radical to say that we must save the planet for future generations."
As the tour continues, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez hope to build momentum for a new wave of candidates who share their vision. They are encouraging activists to run for office at every level, from school boards to Congress, and to challenge the entrenched power structures that they believe have failed ordinary Americans.
"Change does not happen by magic," Sanders said. "It happens when millions of people stand up and demand it."
For Sanders, who has spent decades in politics fighting for the underdog, this latest campaign is a continuation of a lifelong mission. For Ocasio-Cortez, it represents a new chapter in her effort to reshape American politics for a new generation.
Together, they are betting that despite all the cynicism and disillusionment, there remains a hunger for justice, fairness, and hope.
"We are not powerless," Ocasio-Cortez said. "We are powerful. And when we organize, when we fight together, we can change the world."
The "Fighting Oligarchy Tour" is scheduled to continue through the summer, with stops planned in several battleground states. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez will continue to advocate for their vision of a more just and equitable America, one rally, one town hall, and one conversation at a time.
In the end, their message is simple but profound: democracy must be fought for, and the future must be built, not inherited.
