By Geoff Earle and Gabrielle Fahmy
Published Oct. 31, 2026, 7:21 a.m. ET
The “Squad” won’t just be a fringe faction in the new House.
The far-left group that began with the 2018 election of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is set to be a substantial block whose members are itching to leverage their newfound power to try to turn their sprawling agenda — abolishing ICE, Medicare for All, expanding gender-affirming care, and government-run supermarkets — into action.
The radical clique is set to double from the current core of seven to as many as 16 after a series of primary wins, election experts say – a number that swells to two dozen when counting left-wing progressives who share some views but are not closely connected to the Democratic Socialists of America.
Much depends on the size of any Democratic majority.
The size of the “Squad” is set to double in the new Congress, giving new political power to expected lawmakers like Darializa Avila Chevalier (D-NY), a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
REUTERS
If the Democrats win a slim advantage just north of a 218-vote majority on Tuesday, the expanded “Squad” plays an even bigger role — with the ability to tank House rules developed by the leadership and force votes on controversial amendments.
Republicans warn “lunatics” running the Democratic Party would set out on “woke wild goose chases,” dragging Democrats into ideological battles at the expense of more mainstream priorities, RNC spokeswoman Delanie Bomar told The Post.
“These communist wannabes would hold [likely Speaker] Hakeem Jeffries hostage until he helps them turn America into a socialist hellhole.”
Mainstream Dems are also worried.
“They’re going to cause problems. They’re going to try to dominate the narrative,” a former Democratic leadership aide told The Post, predicting socialists would jockey for powerful committee assignments and gain other levers of power within the system.
“Squad” size isn’t the only thing that matters, critics said.
“If they do take back control of the House on Tuesday, the Democratic leadership you’ve been promised will change too,” said former RNC national spokesperson Elizabeth Pipko. “This is not just about the Squad doubling in size, but the consequences of the Squad possibly doubling in influence.”
If the Democrats win a slim advantage just north of a 218-vote majority on Tuesday, the expanded “Squad” plays an even bigger role — with the ability to tank House rules developed by the leadership and force votes on controversial amendments.
Republicans warn “lunatics” running the Democratic Party would set out on “woke wild goose chases,” dragging Democrats into ideological battles at the expense of more mainstream priorities, RNC spokeswoman Delanie Bomar told The Post.
“These communist wannabes would hold [likely Speaker] Hakeem Jeffries hostage until he helps them turn America into a socialist hellhole.”
Mainstream Dems are also worried.
“They’re going to cause problems. They’re going to try to dominate the narrative,” a former Democratic leadership aide told The Post, predicting socialists would jockey for powerful committee assignments and gain other levers of power within the system.
“Squad” size isn’t the only thing that matters, critics said.
“If they do take back control of the House on Tuesday, the Democratic leadership you’ve been promised will change too,” said former RNC national spokesperson Elizabeth Pipko. “This is not just about the Squad doubling in size, but the consequences of the Squad possibly doubling in influence.”
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