Democrats gathered in Minneapolis from August 25 to 27, 2025, for the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) annual summer meeting, hoping to chart a path out of the political wilderness and toward a unified front against President Donald Trump’s administration. Yet, while party leaders stressed togetherness, the event was marked by spirited internal debate, revealing the Democratic Party’s ongoing struggle to reconcile differing priorities and approaches as it faces daunting electoral and organizational challenges.
DNC Chair Ken Martin, addressing party members on the opening day, did not mince words about the stakes. "In this big tent party of ours, we are unified towards one single goal: to stop Donald Trump and put this country back on track," Martin declared, according to Fox News. Yet, his rhetoric signaled a more combative tone than in years past. Frustrated by Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts in their favor and by what he sees as an uneven political playing field, Martin told attendees, "We cannot be the only party that plays by the rules anymore." He went further, describing Trump as "a dictator in chief" and labeling his second administration "fascism dressed in a red tie."
Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta echoed Martin’s sense of urgency, telling Fox News Digital, "We’ve been playing checkers. They’re playing Grand Theft Auto." The metaphor, referencing the notorious video game series, captured the mood among many Democrats who believe their party must be more aggressive to counter Republican tactics. "We have to engage in a level of fight, not power for power’s sake, but we have to fight hard because we understand what’s at stake for working people and working families," Kenyatta insisted.
Despite the calls for unity, the meeting exposed deep divisions, especially over foreign policy. The most contentious debate centered on two dueling resolutions regarding the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. On August 26, the DNC’s Resolutions Committee considered, then voted down, a proposal calling for an arms embargo and suspension of U.S. military aid to Israel—a move long championed by the party’s progressive wing. Instead, a separate resolution introduced and supported by Martin, calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and unrestricted access to humanitarian aid for Gaza civilians, passed unanimously.
The defeat of the more forceful resolution, spearheaded by 26-year-old Allison Minnerly, a new DNC member from Florida, sparked frustration among some party members. "It’s not enough," said Sophia Danenberg, a committee member from Washington, D.C., as quoted by Fox News. "People want to hear a louder, stronger statement." Danenberg went on: "I do fear that we’re losing our future as the Democratic Party by not being courageous on this issue." The episode highlighted how the party’s once steadfast support for Israel has fractured, especially as the death toll in Gaza rises and concerns about famine mount—issues that have galvanized many in the party’s progressive base.
Polling this summer, as reported by Fox News and Semafor, shows support among Democrats for Israel’s continued military actions in Gaza is plummeting. The split reflects broader generational and ideological divides within the party, with younger and more left-leaning members increasingly at odds with establishment positions. Joe Salas, a DNC committee member from California and a Muslim American, lamented after the vote, "I think there is a disconnect between the people on the committee and the average lock-stock-and-barrel voters who identify with the Democratic Party."
After a private conversation between Martin and Minnerly, Martin made a conciliatory move, asking the committee to withdraw his own resolution for the sake of party unity. "We need to keep working through this. We have to find a path forward as a party, and we have to stay unified," he said. The committee embraced this gesture, but the underlying disagreements lingered.
Beyond foreign policy, the Resolutions Committee passed measures affirming diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)—a stance that comes amid fierce conservative backlash against such programs in recent years—and a resolution condemning the first six months of Trump’s second administration. These resolutions were set to be voted on by the full DNC membership on August 27, reflecting the party’s desire to present a unified front, at least on certain core values.
Yet, unity remains elusive on several fronts. Democrats are still reeling from the 2024 elections, in which they lost control of the White House and the Senate and failed to retake the House majority. Republicans made significant inroads with key Democratic constituencies, and the party’s brand is now deeply unpopular, especially among younger voters. National surveys show Democratic poll numbers at historic lows, and the DNC faces a massive fundraising deficit compared to the Republican National Committee (RNC).
Martin, however, tried to strike a note of optimism. While acknowledging that "our cash on hand seems to be low by comparison to the Republicans," he touted a record $70 million raised so far in 2025. He also pointed to a special election victory in Iowa, where Democrats flipped a GOP-held state Senate seat—"This is now 40 key elections this year that we’ve won or overperformed in," Martin said, highlighting what he described as momentum heading into the fall.
The meeting also marked the start of the party’s presidential calendar process, as Martin announced plans for a rigorous and fair 2028 primary calendar. States including South Carolina, New Hampshire, Nevada, and Iowa are expected to vie for the coveted lead-off positions, following the DNC’s controversial decision in 2024 to shuffle the traditional order. Martin emphasized the importance of neutrality among DNC officers and staff as the party prepares for what is expected to be a crowded primary process. "We have an obligation to Democrats not in this room," Martin said, underscoring the need for fairness as the party seeks a battle-tested candidate to lead it back to the White House.
Despite the early adjournment of the meeting on August 27 due to a deadly church shooting at a Catholic school near the venue, the DNC’s summer gathering offered a revealing snapshot of a party at a crossroads—determined to fight, but still wrestling with internal divisions and searching for a message that can unite its diverse coalition. As the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race loom, the Democrats’ ability to bridge these divides may well determine their political future.
