New York representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Texas senator Ted Cruz. (Getty/ Alex Wroblewski and Alex Wong)
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shut down anti-LGBT+ Trump supporter Ted Cruz, telling him he “almost had her murdered” three weeks ago during the Capitol riots.
Ocasio-Cortez took to Twitter on Thursday (28 January) to condemn the app Robinhood, which banned users from purchasing Gamestop stock in the ongoing battle between hedge fund managers and lay investors using the “WallStreetBets” sub-Reddit.
But when anti-LGBT+ senator Cruz quote tweeted her to say that he “fully agreed” with her suggestion that Robinhood should be investigated, AOC was having none of it.
She responded: “I am happy to work with Republicans on this issue where there’s common ground, but you almost had me murdered three weeks ago so you can sit this one out.
“Happy to work with almost any other GOP that aren’t trying to get me killed. In the meantime if you want to help, you can resign.”
I am happy to work with Republicans on this issue where there’s common ground, but you almost had me murdered 3 weeks ago so you can sit this one out.
Happy to work w/ almost any other GOP that aren’t trying to get me killed.
In the meantime if you want to help, you can resign. https://t.co/4mVREbaqqm
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 28, 2021
Cruz, who refused to apologise for attending a “death to gays” rally, is “proud” to be backed by the founder of a listed anti-LGBT+ hate group, and who co-sponsored a bill that would explicitly permit discrimination against LGBT+ people based on “a sincerely held religious belief”, was publicly insistent that the 2020 presidential election was “stolen” from Donald Trump.
Seven Democratic senators filed an ethics complaint last week against Cruz, along with Missouri senator Josh Hawley, arguing that they “made future violence more likely” by giving “legitimacy” to voter fraud conspiracies.
The senators wrote in an accompanying letter: “When Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley announced they would object to the counting of state certified electors on 6 January, 2021, they amplified claims of election fraud that had resulted in threats of violence against state and local officials around the country.
“While Congress was debating Senator Cruz’s objection, a violent mob stormed the Capitol.”
Ocasio-Cortez told Cruz: “While you conveniently talk about ‘moving on’, a second Capitol police officer lost their life yesterday in the still-raging aftermath of the attacks you had a role in.
“This isn’t a joke. We need accountability, and that includes a new senator from Texas.
“You haven’t even apologised for the serious physical and mental harm you contributed to from Capitol Police and custodial workers to your own fellow members of Congress.
“In the meantime, you can get off my timeline and stop clout-chasing. Thanks. Happy to work with other GOP on this.”