DNC chair tries to tamp down uproar over hiding election autopsy

Democrats are still trying to contain the fallout from inside and outside the party.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:45pm

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A cinematic painting depicting a lone figure sitting at a desk in a shadowy, dimly lit political office, with warm diagonal sunlight and deep shadows creating a contemplative, nostalgic mood.As the Democratic Party grapples with the fallout from a hidden election autopsy, the DNC chair's solitary deliberations reflect the party's struggle to find transparency and unity.New Orleans Today

Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin is quietly trying to quash criticism over his decision to hide the party's "autopsy" of what went wrong in the 2024 election. Nearly four months after DNC officials announced they planned to keep the autopsy private because they wanted to focus on winning the 2026 midterms, they're still trying to contain the fallout from inside and outside the party.

Why it matters

The decision to keep the autopsy private has sparked criticism from some DNC members who believe the report should be made public for the sake of transparency. This issue is dividing the party as they try to move forward and prepare for the 2026 midterms.

The details

At the DNC's meeting in New Orleans last week, a few people stood and yelled at Martin, calling on him to make the full report public. Outside the hotel, a progressive group placed a mobile billboard that read, "RELEASE THE AUTOPSY." DNC member Vinod Thomas from North Carolina said he previously expressed concern to other DNC members about the autopsy, and that Martin reached out to him to explain why he's keeping the report under wraps. Thomas said he respectfully disagrees with Martin's decision, arguing that "transparency is a key thing that we as Democrats fight for." Some other DNC members also believe Martin made the wrong call in keeping the report private.

  • The DNC announced plans to keep the autopsy private in December 2025.
  • The DNC meeting in New Orleans where the issue was raised took place last week.

The players

Ken Martin

The chair of the Democratic National Committee who is trying to quash criticism over his decision to keep the party's 2024 election autopsy report private.

Vinod Thomas

A DNC member from North Carolina who previously expressed concern about the decision to keep the autopsy report private and respectfully disagrees with Martin's decision.

Maria Cardona

A longtime Democratic strategist and DNC member who agrees with the DNC leaders' decision to keep the autopsy report private, arguing that it was time for Democrats to move forward and focus on taking back power.

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What they’re saying

“Transparency is a key thing that we as Democrats fight for. A lot of the Democrats back in North Carolina who put me on the DNC told me they want this thing released.”

— Vinod Thomas, DNC member from North Carolina

“It was time for Democrats to move forward and focus on taking back power.”

— Maria Cardona, Longtime Democratic strategist and DNC member

What’s next

It's unclear whether Martin will release a short summary of the report's findings, and if so, when that might happen. The DNC is still trying to contain the fallout from both inside and outside the party over the decision to keep the full autopsy report private.

The takeaway

The decision to keep the 2024 election autopsy report private has divided the Democratic Party, with some DNC members arguing for transparency while others believe it's time to move forward and focus on winning the 2026 midterms. This issue highlights the ongoing tensions within the party as they try to regroup and chart a path forward.