State Representative Chris Rabb, a democratic socialist from Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District, has taken his criticism of mainstream Democrats to a new level. In recent public statements and on social media, Rabb denounced lawmakers and commentators who defend the United States Constitution as “institutionalists,” a term he uses to suggest they are clinging to an outdated system.

Rabb’s Rhetoric Escalates

During a recent interview, Rabb described the Constitution as “the beast” that must be slain, arguing that the Framers had no concept of modern policing or the needs of today’s citizens. He further accused constitutional supporters of “nostalgia” and of protecting a system that, in his view, perpetuates inequality.

Rabb’s comments echo a broader trend among members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). DSA Steering Committee member Cliff Connolly has publicly stated that the organization is known for its “hatred of the United States Constitution.” The group’s messaging increasingly frames the nation’s founding document as an obstacle to progressive change.

National Reaction

Critics from across the political spectrum have pushed back. Former senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama, Sarada Peri, called “institutionalists” “peculiar creatures” who cling to Washington’s entrenched conventions. Legal scholars such as Erwin Chemerinsky of UC Berkeley and Mary Anne Franks of George Washington University have been cited by opponents as promoting a “cult of the Constitution,” a phrase used to suggest they defend a system that allegedly upholds “white male supremacy.”

Media outlets have amplified the debate. The Atlantic published a piece in which the author labeled the Constitution as “dangerous,” while a New York Times column featured Harvard scholar Ryan D. Doerfler and Yale historian Samuel Moyn calling for America to be “reclaimed from constitutionalism.”

Implications for the 2026 Midterms

Rabb, who is the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania’s 3rd District, is expected to win the seat in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. His rising profile on the far left positions him as a vocal opponent of traditional constitutional safeguards, a stance that could influence the broader Democratic Party’s messaging as the election approaches.

Other prominent Democrats, including former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom, have been accused by Rabb and his allies of pandering to “the mob” by offering only symbolic nods to constitutional principles. The rhetoric suggests a widening ideological gap within the party, with progressive factions demanding more radical reforms and establishment figures defending the nation’s founding framework.

Constitutional Concerns for Conservatives

For conservatives who value the Constitution as the bedrock of American liberty, Rabb’s language represents a direct challenge to the principles that have guided the Republic for over two centuries. The push to label constitutional defenders as “institutionalists” seeks to delegitimize the very institutions that protect religious freedom, parental rights, and individual liberty.

As the 2026 midterms draw near, the battle over the nation’s constitutional identity is likely to intensify. Whether the term “institutionalist” gains traction among progressive circles or fades under the weight of public support for the Constitution remains to be seen, but the debate underscores a fundamental clash over the future direction of American governance.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.