Ocasio-Cortez Dismisses Past Progressive Rhetoric as Product of Pandemic-Era Politics

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., on Sunday downplayed controversial statements made by herself and other socialist politicians during recent years, telling ABC’s “This Week” that the period of heightened progressive activism was fundamentally different from today’s political landscape. When host Jon Karl referenced her past support for defunding the police and noted similar inflammatory remarks made by Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong, Ocasio-Cortez responded with humor, invoking a local official’s characterization of that era as “Woke 1 was crazy.”

The congresswoman argued that extreme policy proposals circulated during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, when public sentiment appeared more receptive to radical change. She contended that discussions held during lockdowns were “quite fruitful” and represented a moment when “doors were really open in trying to entertain any and every policy” aimed at systemic improvement, distinguishing that period from current political discourse on crime and public safety.

Karl pressed further, noting that the Democratic Socialists of America—an organization that endorsed Ocasio-Cortez throughout her political career—still lists police abolition in its national platform. Ocasio-Cortez clarified that she holds membership only in the DSA’s New York City chapter rather than the national body and does not endorse all organizational positions.

Relations between Ocasio-Cortez and the DSA have grown strained in recent years. The organization withdrew its endorsement of her 2024 re-election campaign, citing her failure to meet conditions including opposition to all U.S. funding for Israel and public support for boycott and sanctions measures. The group has also remained divided regarding a potential 2028 presidential endorsement for the congresswoman.