Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s flair for drama was on full display again during her latest MSNBC appearance, where she told Republicans, “My office is open, and you are free to walk in and negotiate with me directly.” Bold words — for someone who isn’t even leading the negotiations.
Naturally, her grandstanding didn’t sit well with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who swiftly smacked down the suggestion that AOC has any serious role in the talks. Pelosi reminded reporters that it’s House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, not the progressive firebrand, who’s steering the Democratic side.
“She’s wonderful, she’s a real team player, and the rest of that,” Pelosi said — with a tone that could curdle milk — before clarifying, “You started by saying Republicans say that she’s directing this. She is not. Hakeem Jeffries is.” Pelosi went on to stress that these negotiations require “a lot of experience” and “unity from the caucus” — two things AOC is still struggling to grasp.
While Pelosi gave the Congresswoman a polite nod, calling her an “articulate spokesperson for her point of view,” the message was clear: Ocasio-Cortez is not calling the shots. Not even close.
This isn’t Pelosi’s first reality check for AOC. Back in 2019, when AOC and her “Squad” tried to derail a border funding bill, Pelosi dismissed their antics in a New York Times interview: “All these people have their public whatever and their Twitter world, but they didn’t have any following. They’re four people, and that’s how many votes they got.”
Ouch.
And Pelosi’s icy tolerance hasn’t warmed. Last year, Punchbowl News reported that Pelosi was “actively working to tank” AOC’s attempt to become the top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee. Pelosi reportedly made behind-the-scenes calls backing rival candidate, the late Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia.
The result? AOC lost, 131 to 84, in a secret ballot vote by her own party. Turns out all those Instagram Lives and performative protests don’t count for much when the cameras are off.
