Blab Politics
Rep. Adam Smith Discusses Democratic Socialism, Israel, and Political Harassment in Washington Interview
On a sweltering 100‑degree day in Washington, D.C., Representative Adam Smith (D‑Wash.), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, appeared in gym clothes after a workout in his Cannon House Office Building office. He gave an interview to JNS, covering topics from democratic socialism to alleged harassment of his family.
Smith said democratic socialists, in his view, are exploiting income inequality to push policies he believes will fail. He described a “full‑on socialist model” as having never succeeded anywhere and argued that “regulated capitalism” has historically worked in the United States. The congressman added that “being against capitalism is like being against gravity.” He noted that the economist Adam Smith—after whom he is named—was a proponent of regulated capitalism.
The interview also featured Smith’s criticism of former Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he called a “bad national candidate” who should step aside. He said Harris had “her chance” and that she was still “trying.” Smith labeled former President Joe Biden a “terrible candidate in 2020, just as much as he was in 2024,” and expressed that he was “not a Joe Biden fan.” In contrast, Smith praised Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, a retired astronaut, as a potential presidential candidate and listed several other Democrats—Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Governor Wes Moore of Maryland—as “qualified.” He criticized what he described as “interest‑group” pressure on candidates and called for authenticity in political messaging.
When asked about the Republican side, Smith said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be a better choice for the next presidential nominee than Vice President J.D. Vance. He described Vance as “smart enough” but unpredictable, while noting that Rubio had “proven himself to be capable of being reasonable.”
Smith also spoke about alleged harassment of his family. He said that anti‑Israel activists had protested outside his Bellevue, Washington, home and vandalized it. He claimed that the husband of his political opponent, Socialist Kshama Sawant, allegedly assaulted one of Smith’s staffers. Smith described the incidents as part of a broader pattern of intimidation against those who disagree with left‑wing activists. He said that “people who are trying to silence people who disagree with them” were using threats, harassment, and intimidation.
The congressman tied his comments on Israel and anti‑Semitism to a Washington State Democratic Party platform that, according to Smith, blamed the Israeli government for a rise in anti‑Jew sentiment worldwide. He said the platform’s language had led to “screaming” and “harassment” in the state’s convention. Smith also noted that many anti‑Israel activists lump Israel with “white Western culture” and that this framing can create a space for anti‑Semitism.
Smith’s office décor reflects his background: photographs of Washington state landscapes, a collection of military challenge coins, and a figurine of a shark with a laser beam—an item linked to his work on amphibious landing craft. He was born in Washington, D.C., in 1965, raised in SeaTac, and earned a law degree from the University of Washington. Prior to Congress, he served as a prosecutor and a pro‑temp judge for the city of Seattle. He was elected to the Washington State Senate in 1990 and to the U.S. House in 1996.
His family is also involved in politics. His daughter, Kendall Smith, 25, works as a legislative assistant for Representative Lizzie Fletcher (D‑Tex.) in Washington, D.C. His son works in Virginia for a private company.
Outside politics, Smith said he still follows sports, reads, and enjoys walking. He described his reading interests as including a trilogy by Tana French and works by Liane Moriarty.
The interview provides a snapshot of Smith’s current positions on domestic policy, foreign policy, and the political climate in Washington. It also highlights his concerns about political harassment and the intersection of anti‑Israel activism and anti‑Semitism.
Smith said democratic socialists, in his view, are exploiting income inequality to push policies he believes will fail. He described a “full‑on socialist model” as having never succeeded anywhere and argued that “regulated capitalism” has historically worked in the United States. The congressman added that “being against capitalism is like being against gravity.” He noted that the economist Adam Smith—after whom he is named—was a proponent of regulated capitalism.
The interview also featured Smith’s criticism of former Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he called a “bad national candidate” who should step aside. He said Harris had “her chance” and that she was still “trying.” Smith labeled former President Joe Biden a “terrible candidate in 2020, just as much as he was in 2024,” and expressed that he was “not a Joe Biden fan.” In contrast, Smith praised Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, a retired astronaut, as a potential presidential candidate and listed several other Democrats—Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Governor Wes Moore of Maryland—as “qualified.” He criticized what he described as “interest‑group” pressure on candidates and called for authenticity in political messaging.
When asked about the Republican side, Smith said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be a better choice for the next presidential nominee than Vice President J.D. Vance. He described Vance as “smart enough” but unpredictable, while noting that Rubio had “proven himself to be capable of being reasonable.”
Smith also spoke about alleged harassment of his family. He said that anti‑Israel activists had protested outside his Bellevue, Washington, home and vandalized it. He claimed that the husband of his political opponent, Socialist Kshama Sawant, allegedly assaulted one of Smith’s staffers. Smith described the incidents as part of a broader pattern of intimidation against those who disagree with left‑wing activists. He said that “people who are trying to silence people who disagree with them” were using threats, harassment, and intimidation.
The congressman tied his comments on Israel and anti‑Semitism to a Washington State Democratic Party platform that, according to Smith, blamed the Israeli government for a rise in anti‑Jew sentiment worldwide. He said the platform’s language had led to “screaming” and “harassment” in the state’s convention. Smith also noted that many anti‑Israel activists lump Israel with “white Western culture” and that this framing can create a space for anti‑Semitism.
Smith’s office décor reflects his background: photographs of Washington state landscapes, a collection of military challenge coins, and a figurine of a shark with a laser beam—an item linked to his work on amphibious landing craft. He was born in Washington, D.C., in 1965, raised in SeaTac, and earned a law degree from the University of Washington. Prior to Congress, he served as a prosecutor and a pro‑temp judge for the city of Seattle. He was elected to the Washington State Senate in 1990 and to the U.S. House in 1996.
His family is also involved in politics. His daughter, Kendall Smith, 25, works as a legislative assistant for Representative Lizzie Fletcher (D‑Tex.) in Washington, D.C. His son works in Virginia for a private company.
Outside politics, Smith said he still follows sports, reads, and enjoys walking. He described his reading interests as including a trilogy by Tana French and works by Liane Moriarty.
The interview provides a snapshot of Smith’s current positions on domestic policy, foreign policy, and the political climate in Washington. It also highlights his concerns about political harassment and the intersection of anti‑Israel activism and anti‑Semitism.
