Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is once again drawing heavy political fire after her affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) resurfaced in connection with a deeply controversial video and an extremist post from a fringe caucus within the organization. The renewed scrutiny follows a tragic double murder that has sent shockwaves through Washington and beyond.
Five months ago, AOC appeared on a DSA-hosted video podcast, a moment that resurfaced this week thanks to conservative commentator Stephen L. Miller, after the DSA Liberation Caucus—an openly Marxist-Leninist-Maoist faction—posted a chilling tribute to Elias Rodriguez, the man accused of killing two diplomats outside the Capital Jewish Museum.
The diplomats—Yaron Lischnisky, 28, and Sarah Milgrim, 26—were gunned down on May 21. Witnesses say Rodriguez shouted, “Free Palestine!” before opening fire. As he was led away in handcuffs, the same slogan echoed through the air. The attack is being investigated as a politically motivated domestic terrorism incident.
The DSA Liberation Caucus, which does not represent the national leadership of DSA but operates under its umbrella, published a disturbing post glorifying Rodriguez. It included Maoist rhetoric, declaring, “It is right to rebel against the enemy. This is Maoist law,” and featured an illustration of Rodriguez against the Palestinian flag, emblazoned with a hammer and sickle—clear symbols of revolutionary violence.
The main DSA body, under intense backlash, scrambled to distance itself from the post. A brief statement condemned the murders and said the caucus’s comments did not reflect the organization’s values:
“Democratic Socialists of America seek to democratically transform our society and reject vigilante violence. We condemn the murder of Israeli embassy workers. Any statement otherwise is not the stance of DSA.”
Still, critics argue the damage is already done. The fact that the radical caucus operates freely within DSA—and that prominent public officials like AOC continue to align with the group—raises serious questions about accountability and ideology.
This incident isn’t AOC’s first brush with controversy surrounding anti-Israel activism. She is part of the far-left “Squad,” alongside figures like Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has repeatedly faced criticism for antisemitic remarks. In 2019, AOC herself made headlines after comparing U.S. border detention centers to Nazi-era concentration camps, a remark that sparked outrage from Jewish Americans and Holocaust survivors alike.
Now, the re-emergence of her DSA video—in light of the Liberation Caucus’s extremist language—has reignited concern over her affiliations. The fact that the DSA’s leadership had to clarify it doesn’t support political violence after two diplomats were executed near a Jewish institution only heightens the alarm.
