Former GOP Rep. Joe Walsh has officially joined the Democratic Party, marking a significant shift in his political alignment.
The announcement came Thursday through a Substack post where Walsh wrote, “Three words I never thought I’d ever utter: I’m a Democrat.”
Walsh explained his decision by citing the current political climate. “The stakes are simply too high to NOT become a Democrat,” he wrote.
He criticized President Donald Trump, saying, “A tyrant sits in the White House. The very thing our Founders feared most is here.”
Despite the party change, Walsh claimed he remains true to many of his original beliefs.
He described himself as “the same passionate TEA partier who went to Congress in 2010” to fight government debt and advocate for efficient governance.
He added that he continues to support strict border policies, strong Second Amendment rights, and free speech protections.
However, Walsh said he has developed a broader perspective after engaging with people who hold different views, according to Trending Politics.
As part of his transformation, Walsh said he now better understands LGBT issues, structural racism, climate change, and the need for compassionate immigration reform. He also acknowledged a greater role for government in supporting the vulnerable.