Joe Manchin Criticizes Democratic Party After Departure

Former Senator Joe Manchin, who recently left the Democratic Party to become an independent, has denounced his ex-party as 'toxic' during interviews, attributing this shift to what he perceives as an embrace of extreme ideologies by progressives. Manchin criticized the Democratic Party for becoming judgmental and authoritarian, claiming it has lost touch with mainstream Americans and has shifted focus away from essential issues like jobs and the economy toward divisive social topics. He warned that the country is not moving left and suggested that the Democratic brand has alienated potential supporters. Manchin's comments come as he prepares to exit Congress after 15 years, a move also followed by other prominent Democrats like Lindy Li and Allison Huynh, who expressed similar sentiments about the party's direction. Huynh specifically cited the decline of cities like San Francisco as part of her disenchantment with the party. Both departures highlight a growing concern among some Democrats regarding the party's alignment with progressive values.