Pennsylvania Rep. Chris Rabb backs imprisonment for 'lawless MAGA thugs'

Pennsylvania state Rep. Chris Rabb, a congressional candidate and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, stated this week that he supports incarcerating "lawless MAGA thugs" despite his broader opposition to mass incarceration. Rabb made the remarks on a podcast hosted by left-wing commentator Wajahat Ali, describing the United States as morally wrong for representing 5% of the world's population while holding 25% of the world's prisoners.

"I'm a decarceration person," Rabb said, adding that he believes high incarceration rates are bad policy. However, he explicitly carved out an exception for individuals he labeled as "lawless MAGA thugs" who have destroyed lives and communities. "Lock all of those f---ers up," Rabb said, acknowledging that his stance might appear hypocritical given his position on the left.

Rabb, who won his Democratic primary this year as part of a broader wave of DSA candidates, urged members of Congress to impeach and subpoena those he described as destroying what remains of the fragile democracy. He acknowledged the irony of a socialist supporting jail time for specific targets but doubled down on the idea, stating, "It's not vengefulness, but right is right." Rabb argued for a level playing field, noting that if mothers face jail time for changing school districts to secure better education for their children, then figures like Jared Kushner should also experience jail time. "So, if that makes me a conservative, gosh, but we need to send a message," he said.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly responded to Rabb's comments in a statement to Fox News Digital. Kelly alleged that Trump-aligned Democrats lack a substantive agenda, claiming their sole purpose is to launch extreme attacks against the president while blocking the legislative goals he was elected to pursue. She characterized Rabb as clearly disturbed and suggested he should seek help. Fox News Digital reached out to Rabb's campaign for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Rabb's comments mirror those made by Florida Democratic Senate candidate Angie Nixon, who is also a DSA member but has insisted she is not a socialist. In an interview with CNN host Kasie Hunt, Nixon stated she would like her opponent, Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., locked up and punished for spreading disinformation. "Why would I want to do that when I want her locked up and punished in jail for what she has done?" Nixon said, referring to claims that she wants to abolish prisons. When asked to clarify if she wanted Moody incarcerated, Nixon replied, "Basically, yes. Because of what she did, yes. I absolutely would want that to happen. Yes."