Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is once again casting herself as a target—this time in relation to a possible Department of Justice investigation linked to her participation in a contentious immigration webinar.
The congresswoman, who identifies as a democratic socialist, acknowledged this week that she has yet to receive a response from the Trump-era DOJ regarding whether she is under investigation. The focus is a February event where Ocasio-Cortez may have crossed legal boundaries by offering advice that some critics argue encouraged undocumented immigrants to avoid detection by ICE.
“I’ve asked them, they haven’t responded to me,” Ocasio-Cortez told Fox News. “But you know, I was once again fully using the First Amendment to inform people of their constitutional rights. They say a lot of things, but I’ve written a formal letter, and they won’t respond.”
When pressed about the potential consequences, she was direct. Detaining an elected official “without any actual grounds,” she said, would represent a “tremendous sea change and escalation in what this administration is willing to do to bend laws, norms, et cetera, and how a normal functioning democracy works.”
“I sure hope that for all the saber-rattling that this administration is doing, that they really think about the global consequences of what it means for the United States,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
These statements arrive as speculation intensifies over whether the DOJ could take legal action against Ocasio-Cortez, following public calls by Trump-appointed border czar Tom Homan for a formal investigation. The controversy centers on a “Know Your Rights” webinar hosted by the congresswoman earlier this year, during which attorneys advised undocumented individuals on how to handle interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The virtual event, held in both English and Spanish, included legal guidance and distributed materials—one of which advised that individuals “do not have to open the door” to ICE agents lacking a judge-signed warrant. Ocasio-Cortez’s office also shared resources for accessing pro bono legal help and suggested undocumented constituents submit privacy waivers so her office could assist in deportation-related matters.
She has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the investigation talk is rooted in politics. In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Ocasio-Cortez questioned whether the DOJ was succumbing to political influence from the Trump administration.
“I write to request clarity on whether the Department of Justice (DOJ) has yielded to political pressure and attempts to weaponize the agency against elected officials whose speech they disagree with,” she wrote. “Over the past two weeks, ‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan has gone on multiple forums threatening political prosecution against me, citing resources I distributed informing my constituents and the American public of their constitutional and legal rights.”
She further accused Homan of using the DOJ as a tool of intimidation and labeled his actions an infringement on her First Amendment protections.
Homan, however, remains firm in his stance. During an appearance on The Ingraham Angle, he said he had contacted Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove to raise concerns. “I sent an email today to the Deputy Attorney General. At what level is that impediment? I’m not an attorney, I’m not a prosecutor. Is that impeding our law enforcement efforts?” he said.
Homan added, “So maybe AOC is going to be in trouble now, but I need the DOJ to opine on that. Because impediment is impediment in my opinion.”
This dispute marks the latest development in a years-long conflict between Ocasio-Cortez and Homan, which began during the Trump administration when she emerged as a leading advocate for dismantling ICE.
all the thanks goes to biden and obama for their open door policy during bidens administration regarding immigration for immigrants to illegally enter the United States without any vetting. now people like AOC and others are compelled to tell the millions of immigrants how to avoid being deported.
AOC is a Soros backed bartender who was chosen to run because she follows orders and never has an original thought. Everything is written down for her to repeat. Her and the other so called Squad are desperate to destroy our Republic and turn the USA into a third world Socialist country. I pray she will be defeated in the next election and if the election is fair and honest she will be.
Members of congress are not subject to arrest except in cases of treason, felony or breach of the peace. looks like AOV does not qualify under any of those specifics. However, the one who created the ruckus at the ICE facility can be charged with breach of the peace.
GO GET HER TOM!!!