Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is facing a growing scandal after she doubled down on her opposition to a House resolution honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was tragically assassinated earlier this month.
The measure, which drew broad bipartisan support, condemned political violence, praised law enforcement for swiftly arresting Kirk’s alleged killer, and extended condolences to his family.
Despite the overwhelming support, Ocasio-Cortez stood among just 58 Democrats who voted “no,” sparking immediate backlash from colleagues, commentators, and Americans mourning Kirk’s death.
Her opposition has been widely criticized as an unnecessary politicization of a tragedy.
In a Friday speech explaining her vote, Ocasio-Cortez argued that the resolution overlooked Kirk’s controversial statements and legacy, according to Trending Politics.
“The majority proceeded with a resolution that brings great pain to the millions of Americans who endured segregation, Jim Crow, and the legacy of bigotry today,” she said, suggesting that honoring Kirk as a unifying figure was historically inaccurate.
She added that Kirk’s “rhetoric and beliefs … ignorant, uneducated and [seeking] to disenfranchise millions of Americans” were far from the image of a unifier portrayed in the resolution.
Her remarks have fueled intense criticism online and in political circles.
Many pointed out that Ocasio-Cortez, who often calls for empathy and understanding in other contexts, appeared unwilling to extend the same consideration to a slain political opponent. Social media users and political commentators branded her stance as tone-deaf and opportunistic.
Even moderate Democrats reportedly expressed unease, with some arguing that her opposition could provide Republicans with fresh ammunition ahead of the 2026 election cycle.
Conservative figures, including President Donald Trump, seized on the vote to accuse Ocasio-Cortez of partisanship and of downplaying political violence.
In defending her decision, Ocasio-Cortez emphasized that condemning Kirk’s assassination did not require endorsing his beliefs.
She framed her vote as a call for honesty about Kirk’s record and criticized the resolution as a partisan attempt to whitewash his history.
“We continue to pray for Mr. Kirk’s family and loved ones in the wake of this terrible act,” she said, while reiterating her criticism of the resolution itself.
The resolution, passed by a strong bipartisan majority, specifically honored Kirk’s contributions to conservative activism, his commitment to the Constitution, and his efforts to promote civil discourse and Biblical principles. It also urged Americans to reject political violence and recommit to respectful debate.
Ocasio-Cortez’s opposition has become a flashpoint, illustrating the deep political divide in the wake of Kirk’s assassination. Lawmakers and political commentators alike have described her stance as scandalous, arguing it undermines the bipartisan message of mourning and condemning political violence.
Her vote has cemented her as a controversial figure in the eyes of both the public and fellow lawmakers, highlighting the tension between personal ideology and national tragedy.
Talk about IGNORANT and UNEDUCATED! Charlie espoused a Biblical worldview and spoke against DEI due to it’s insulting insinuation that blacks and other minorities are too intellectually inept to honestly compete in university and employment arenas without help from the government. THAT mindset is outrageously racist and denigrates minorities in the most shameful manner under the guise of compassion and fairness. I’m quite convinced AOC has never watched a full composite of Kirk’s views for herself. If she were honest, he said nothing racist, misogynist, or any other “ist” with which he’s been labeled. Quite frankly, AOC is the very definition of a fool.