AOC has faced criticism on X for providing listeners with potentially unlawful advice, which contravenes a provision of the United States Constitution and challenges Tom Homan, President Trump’s ‘Border Czar’ and a prominent figure in addressing the border crisis.
In an interview with NPR’s Steve Inskeep on February 28, 2025, AOC criticized the Republican Party, characterized the Democrats as experiencing the stages of grief following President Trump’s victory, and defended her contentious ‘know-your-rights’ forum, where she provided legally questionable advice to undocumented immigrants.
During the NPR interview, host Steve Inskeep inquired of AOC regarding her perspective on the present condition of the Democratic Party, specifically questioning whether Rep. Ocasio-Cortez felt that the left was in a position of defensiveness. AOC provided a somewhat vague reply, stating, ‘I believe we have progressed beyond shock. We have transitioned through dismay. We have navigated the five stages of grief.’
AOC emphasized that the Republican Party is presently committing significant mistakes, further criticizing President Trump’s policies by stating, ‘They also specifically target certain demographics, particularly among the working class, which establishes a permissive environment. In essence, you offer us a small concession while granting substantial advantages to the wealthy.’
In an effort to redirect the conversation, Inskeep inquired about the reasoning behind AOC’s recent online forum centered on immigration, which had become a focal point of the debate between Representative Ocasio-Cortez and Tom Homan. In her reply, AOC justified her actions by stating, ‘I aimed to educate all my constituents about their constitutional rights, specifically their protections against unlawful search and seizure in the United States.’
Taking on the role of the Devil’s advocate, Inskeep articulated the Border Czar’s critique of AOC’s forum, clarifying to AOC, ‘Homan appeared to be displeased because he believed you were offering guidance to individuals residing here unlawfully. Is that correct?’ In reply, AOC stated, ‘I was providing advice to all of my constituents, indeed.’
AOC’s bold acknowledgment of providing potentially unlawful guidance online provoked criticism from X user Matt Van Swol, who pointed out that AOC’s remarks contravened a Constitutional law: ‘Harboring or Encouraging Illegal Presence, 8 U.S.C. § 1324.’ He stated, ‘If AOC’s advice is sufficiently detailed, it constitutes a crime under this statute.’
This post regarding X sparked extensive debate over the questionable remarks made by AOC. One user, known as Yeticus Maximus, remarked, ‘Are all her constituents undocumented? This raises concerns about voter fraud and voter ID problems. That seems typical for NYC.’ Another commenter succinctly questioned, ‘Why does she believe that undocumented individuals are her constituents?’
