Conservative commentator Michael Steele criticized the Democratic National Committee's decision to release a delayed autopsy report analyzing the party's 2024 election losses, saying the timing and condition of the analysis raised questions about its usefulness.
DNC Chair Ken Martin released the independent report on Thursday after previously refusing to make its findings public. Martin cited concerns about methodology and sourcing in his earlier refusal.
"For full transparency, I am releasing the report as we received it, in its entirety, unedited and unabridged," Martin wrote in a statement accompanying the release. "It does not meet my standards, and it won't meet your standards, but I am doing this because people need to be able to trust the Democratic Party and trust our word."
The chair apologized for the months-long delay in releasing the document.
What the Left Is Saying
Some prominent Democrats joined Steele in criticizing Martin's handling of the report. Former DNC Vice Chair David Hogg called on Martin to resign over the controversy.
"This autopsy, and the months-long debate about even releasing the report, is a demoralizing joke," Hogg said in a statement. "Ken Martin should resign, and the DNC should select a new leader who demonstrates competence, creativity, moral clarity, and a relentless commitment to actually changing the broken Democratic Party brand."
At least one House Democrat has also called for Martin's resignation. Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas publicly stated that the DNC chair should step down.
Democratic critics have argued that the prolonged debate over releasing the report itself became a distraction from the party's messaging heading into the November midterm elections, where Democrats are attempting to win back control of the U.S. House.
What the Right Is Saying
Steele, who served as former Republican National Committee chair under President Trump, offered pointed criticism of the DNC's internal struggles on MS NOW's "The Weeknight."
"I don't understand why y'all can't get out of your own way," Steele said. He argued that releasing a report months after it was completed, without changes to its substance, undermined whatever value the analysis might have provided.
"This is a report that should have been released at the time," Steele continued. "Nothing in that report that's changed from the day it was first released to today."
Steele suggested the delayed release and internal disagreements were providing ammunition for Republican opponents ahead of November elections.
"You know what you've done? You've given Republicans now something to talk about," he said. The former RNC chair argued the controversy exemplified broader challenges Democrats face in presenting a unified message to voters.
What the Numbers Show
The 2024 election cycle resulted in Democratic losses that prompted the internal review. President Trump won the 2024 presidential election after losing in 2020, and Republicans maintained control of the Senate while Democrats worked to contest House seats in November midterms.
The DNC has not disclosed details about specific recommendations contained in the autopsy report. Martin did not specify what methodology concerns led him to initially refuse publication.
The Bottom Line
The release of the DNC's internal review adds to a period of intra-party tension as Democrats prepare for competitive midterm elections. Republican critics have pointed to Democratic divisions as evidence of party disarray, while some Democrats argue that transparency about past losses could help the party rebuild.
Martin has defended his decision to eventually publish the report despite its flaws, saying public trust required disclosure even of an imperfect document. Whether the controversy over timing will affect Democratic electoral prospects in November remains to be seen.