There's been a noticeable uptick in party switching recently, and the latest switch went the rarer path, from independent to Democrat.

According to the Washington Examiner, Joe Walsh, who rose to popularity as a Republican during the Tea Party movement well over a decade ago before becoming an independent, recently announced his allegiance to the Democratic Party. 

The former Republican activist made the announcement in a Substack post, taking the political world by storm.

Walsh has been one of the most outspoken critics of President Donald Trump, most recently calling him a "tyrant" while saying it's the primary reason he believed he had to switch to the Democrats.

What's happening?

Walsh explained his switch from independent to the Democrats in his Substack post, citing concerns over Trump's second term, essentially saying that he had no choice in the matter.

"The stakes are simply too high to NOT become a Democrat. Let me explain why,” he wrote. “Let’s start with the obvious—a tyrant sits in the White House. The very thing our Founders feared most is here," Walsh wrote.

Joe Walsh joined the Democratic Party today.

LOL. pic.twitter.com/gjDOy0CfOC

— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) June 3, 2025

Walsh went on to explain his positions, some of which still align with the middle and right.

"I’m still a border hawk, an unabashed gun rights advocate, and an unyielding defender of free speech,” he wrote.

He added, "I’ve opened my eyes and listened to people who don’t think like me. And by doing so, I gained a greater understanding of and appreciation for LGBTQ issues, structural racism, the need for empathetic immigration reform, the dangers of climate change, and the role government must play to help care for the neediest and most vulnerable among us."

Social media reacts

Users across social media had plenty to say about Walsh, who is largely unpopular with the MAGA crowd, to say the least.

"Joe Walsh your a loser. Democrats ratings are in the teens. Way to go buddy. You don't pay to much attention," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "Now all the other rinos can follow him. Good riddance."

It'll be interesting to see how Walsh does on the other side of the fence. As far as most are concerned -- good riddance.