In a striking departure from his long-standing political affiliation, Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz announced on Newsmax that he intends to campaign for Republican candidates in the upcoming midterm elections. Dershowitz, who has supported the Democratic Party for over 60 years, cited growing extremism and abandonment of constitutional values as his primary reasons for the switch. During an interview with Greta Van Susteren on The Record, he expressed alarm over the direction of the Democratic Party, claiming that it has embraced rhetoric and tactics reminiscent of McCarthy-era inquisitions, particularly in its approach to former President Donald Trump.
Dershowitz’s comments come amid an increasingly polarized political climate. He criticized leading Democrats such as Vice President Kamala Harris and Rep. Jasmine Crockett for their use of inflammatory language—comparing Trump to fascist dictators—as emblematic of a larger ideological shift within the party. According to Dershowitz, such rhetoric undermines civil discourse and reflects a departure from constitutional norms. “They’re not succeeding in persuading the American people… which is why… I am now going to campaign very hard for the Republicans,” he said. Notably, Dershowitz clarified that his support for Republicans is not based on agreement with their full agenda, but rather fear of what Democratic leadership might do if they regained control of Congress.
One of Dershowitz’s key concerns is the potential erosion of civil liberties under a Democratic majority. He warned that Democratic control could result in the appointment of committee chairs and investigators who would target political opponents and suppress dissent. Drawing parallels to the Red Scare of the 1950s, he suggested that the current Democratic Party is fostering a kind of “left-wing McCarthyism.” The implication is that rather than upholding the rule of law and constitutional protections, Democrats are increasingly motivated by efforts to punish and discredit Trump and his supporters, regardless of legal or ethical constraints.
Despite his sharp criticism of the party, Dershowitz singled out Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman as a rare example of integrity and bipartisanship. He praised Fetterman for prioritizing principles over partisanship, even though Fetterman almost always votes along party lines. Dershowitz lamented that Fetterman’s approach is not more widely adopted within the Democratic Party, arguing that most Democrats have drifted too far to the political left. According to Dershowitz, the party’s current obsession is not governance or policy but defeating Trump at any cost.
These political developments come at a time when former President Trump remains a powerful figure in American politics. According to CNN’s Harry Enten, 52% of voters believe Trump has fulfilled promises made during his 2024 campaign. His approval rating, which remains steady at around 43-44%, suggests that he retains a strong and loyal base. This consistent support could pose a significant challenge to Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections, especially as recent polls show only a narrow advantage for Democrats in generic congressional matchups. While some polls show Democrats leading by two to four points, this is a relatively weak position compared to earlier in the year, when their approval rating dipped below 30%.
Adding another layer of controversy, Dershowitz resurfaced in headlines earlier this year regarding the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. In a March interview, he claimed to know the names of Epstein’s alleged clients but said he was legally bound from disclosing them. Dershowitz has previously denied any personal involvement in the scandal and has been vocal in defending himself against accusations. Meanwhile, the Trump administration had promised to release all information related to Epstein, but the Justice Department later reversed course, citing no further unreleased evidence. This reversal has fueled ongoing speculation and distrust among critics who believe more transparency is needed.
