Dick Morris: Democrats ‘Completely Marginalized’ as Independent Voter Surge Tops 45%

By Jim Thomas | Saturday, 17 January 2026 02:02 PM EST

Dick Morris, adviser to President Donald Trump, said Saturday that the Democratic Party has “completely marginalized itself,” arguing that voters increasingly identify as independents due to frustration with the party’s positions on immigration enforcement and clashes involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Morris explained in an interview that, in his view, “to be a Democrat, you have to believe it’s bad to enforce immigration law” and “side with those who are targeting ICE agents.” He added that street-level activism and local policies to “shelter illegal immigrants” have narrowed the party’s appeal.

His comments follow Gallup’s recent poll showing 45% of U.S. adults identified as political independents in 2025—a figure surpassing the prior peak of 43% recorded in 2014, 2023 and 2024. The survey also reported that 27% of those polled identify as Democrats and 27% as Republicans.

Independents have been the largest political group in most years since Gallup began conducting its party identification polling regularly by telephone in 1988, but the independent share has risen notably over roughly the past 15 years, usually reaching 40% or higher—a level Gallup said was not reached before 2011.

Morris suggested the independent rise reflects a flight from Democrats more than an embrace of Republicans and offered a political explanation for why some disaffected voters are not yet adopting the GOP label. “There’s the people identify as a Republican or Democrat, based really on their opposition to the figures in power,” he said. He argued it may take time for some voters to “come around” to supporting Trump.

Morris also credited Trump with policy and geopolitical successes, including efforts “to deal with the nation’s financial problems,” “lower inflation,” and “settle wars,” presenting those as factors reshaping partisan identities.

“I think that in the interim, the people are turning away from the Democratic Party, and their expression of discontent is that they’re independent,” Morris said.