‘Shame on You’: AOC Faces Backlash at Town Hall

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., responds to a crowd at Howard University, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Palm Springs mayor Lisa Middleton, right, and Assemblymember Laura Friedman

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) faced a hostile audience during a recent town hall meeting in her Queens district. A nurse in the crowd shouted accusations about the situation in Gaza while Ocasio-Cortez explained the effects of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency cuts on her constituents. Ocasio-Cortez maintained her composure, stressing the need for orderly dialogue and urging constituents to follow ground rules for discussion.

In this photo gallery, we assess the pushback.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., responds to a crowd at Howard University

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., responds to a crowd at Howard University, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Palm Springs mayor Lisa Middleton, right, and Assemblymember Laura Friedman

The nurse yelled, "At least with the Republican Party we know what we are dealing with. You're a snake." They added, "Stop the genocide. Do something."

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez walks to the front of the Clint Border Patrol station

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., responds to a crowd at Howard University, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Palm Springs mayor Lisa Middleton, right, and Assemblymember Laura Friedman

The nurse said, "Shame on you. I used to support you. You're a war criminal! War criminal! War Criminal!"

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., responds to a crowd at Howard University, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Palm Springs mayor Lisa Middleton, right, and Assemblymember Laura Friedman

Ocasio-Cortez said, “Here’s the deal, with town halls: I more than welcome people who disagree or are maybe even super pissed off at me for any issue to come but we have some ground rules here. Please wait for the Q&A because we don’t want to deprive all of our neighbors of the ability to have information and hear things and respond to it.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., awaits her ceremonial swearing in as a member of the 116th Congress

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., responds to a crowd at Howard University, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Palm Springs mayor Lisa Middleton, right, and Assemblymember Laura Friedman

Ocasio-Cortez’s town hall occurred after her participation in the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to address economic inequality. Journalist Charlie Hurt said, “She says things that appeal across the country, so she is able to just completely leave behind her district.”

Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT)

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., responds to a crowd at Howard University, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Palm Springs mayor Lisa Middleton, right, and Assemblymember Laura Friedman

Hurt added, “I think she could win the Democrat nomination, but I think on a national election, I think she’s cooked.”

Palm Springs mayor Lisa Middleton, right, and Assemblymember Laura Friedman

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., responds to a crowd at Howard University, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Palm Springs mayor Lisa Middleton, right, and Assemblymember Laura Friedman

Rep. Laura Friedman (D-CA) also faced accusations of inadequate action against President Donald Trump’s agenda during her own town hall. Several Republican lawmakers have dealt with town hall disruptions that required police intervention.

John Baker covers U.S. politics & news for content partner Modern Newsstand LLC.

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