Democratic activist and former DNC vice chair David Hogg is calling for the resignation of DNC Chair Ken Martin, following the release of a long-delayed and disputed autopsy report on the party's 2024 election losses. Hogg blasted the report's handling as "a demoralizing joke" in a statement Thursday, escalating internal party tensions.
"It's clear that Chair Ken Martin has lost the confidence of his staff, supporters, and most importantly, millions of Americans counting on the DNC to help Democrats win up and down the ballot in 2026 and 2028," Hogg said. He argued that Martin's leadership has been a failure, urging the DNC to select a new leader who "demonstrates competence, creativity, moral clarity, and a relentless commitment to actually changing the broken Democratic Party brand."
Hogg, who founded the youth-focused group Leaders We Deserve and the gun violence prevention movement March for Our Lives, represents a growing frustration among progressives with the party's internal processes. The report, which the DNC chair released under pressure, investigated the party's losses in the White House, Senate, and House races in 2024.
Martin acknowledged the report's shortcomings, writing on social media that its findings "do not meet my standards" but that transparency required him to release it. "I could not in good faith put the DNC's stamp of approval on it. But transparency is paramount," he wrote, posting the 192-page document with annotations for unverified claims.
The report itself, which blamed the Biden campaign team for Vice President Harris's defeat, has drawn sharp criticism from other Democrats. Strategist Caitlin Legacki called the situation "embarrassing" on social media. Florida operative Steve Schale, a veteran of Obama's 2008 campaign, questioned why Martin didn't address the report's flaws earlier. "Why not say this in 2024, or bring in more people to finish it, instead of turning this into the dumbest media cycle for 7-8 months?" he wrote.
The internal backlash underscores deepening divisions within the Democratic Party as it grapples with how to rebuild ahead of the 2026 midterms. Hogg's call for Martin's resignation is the most prominent yet, but it reflects a broader demand for accountability and a more aggressive strategy to counter Republican gains.
Martin, who took over the DNC after the 2024 election, has defended his approach, emphasizing the need for honest self-assessment. But critics argue that the delayed and flawed report only reinforces perceptions of incompetence at a time when the party needs to project unity and strength. The episode also comes as Democrats see potential openings in key races, such as the Texas Senate runoff, where internal strife could undermine momentum.
As the DNC chair faces mounting pressure, the question remains whether the party can move past this internal crisis and focus on the electoral challenges ahead. Hogg and others are making clear that they believe a change in leadership is necessary for the party to regain its footing.
