Joe Manchin Criticizes Democratic Party, Calls for Third-Party Movement

Former Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, who recently became an independent and is stepping down after 15 years in the Senate, issued sharp criticisms of his former party while advocating for a new political approach. Speaking to CNN on Sunday, Manchin described the Democratic Party’s current image as "toxic" and out of touch with the concerns of ordinary Americans.

Manchin, a coal industry magnate, accused progressives of pushing the party toward authoritarianism on personal freedoms. “They have basically expanded upon thinking: ‘Well, we want to protect you there, but we’re going to tell you how you should live your life from that far on,’” he said.

He lamented that the party, once focused on “good jobs” and fair wages, now prioritizes divisive social issues, such as LGBTQ+ rights, while neglecting fiscal responsibility. Manchin also criticized both parties for their handling of gun control, calling their approaches “too extreme.” He characterized Democrats as overly restrictive while accusing Republicans of advocating unregulated access.

Manchin dismissed claims that the Democratic Party could have won the recent election by embracing more progressive candidates, such as Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. “For someone to say that, they’ve got to be completely insane,” he remarked, rebuking comments made by Greg Casar, the incoming chair of the party's progressive wing.

Manchin also attributed Kamala Harris’s election loss to Donald Trump to her inability to present herself as a moderate. “If you try to be somebody you’re not, it’s hard,” he noted.

The senator expressed his belief in the need for a new political party—one he referred to as the "American Party"—to provide a centrist platform for moderate Democrats and Republicans. He argued that the current political system forces candidates into partisan extremes, neglecting the moderate voters who often decide elections.

“The centrist-moderate vote decides who’s going to be the president of the United States. And when they get here, they don’t govern that way,” he said.

Manchin emphasized that such a party could compel Democrats and Republicans to adopt more balanced governance.

In a separate interview with CBS’s Face the Nation, Manchin criticized Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, calling this Congress “the worst-performing in the history of our country.” He blamed internal divisions among Republicans for legislative gridlock and urged them to seek bipartisan cooperation.

Manchin suggested that Donald Trump, as president-elect, might govern more effectively in his second term. “He’s got some experience under him,” Manchin said, adding that Trump now better understands the responsibilities and power of the presidency.

Despite his criticisms of both parties, Manchin expressed his support for the success of any president, regardless of party affiliation. “Every red-blooded American should want your president to succeed,” he said, reflecting his pragmatic approach to governance.

As Manchin exits the Senate, his calls for a centrist movement highlight growing dissatisfaction with America’s two-party system and its impact on the nation’s political discourse.