Rep. Malliotakis is simply fearmongering here. There is a wide chasm between the US and Venezuela as far as institutions go. Here, our informal institutions and culture prevent the same authoritarian policies from succeeding. This is a common (weak) insult used by right wingers. Democrats are not, on the whole of it, socialist. Here’s a quote: “This same socialist playbook is being brought here to the United States," Malliotakis said. "It is starting with the divisiveness. It is starting with the anti-police movement.”