Special Poll
New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently addressed the potential risks posed by the 2024 election outcome and shared her concerns about freedoms that may be at stake under President-elect Trump. In a nearly hour-long video on Instagram, Ocasio-Cortez spoke candidly about the challenging political climate, encouraging her followers to “build community” as a way to prepare.
She emphasized that with a Republican majority in both the House and Senate, alongside control of the White House, there is potential for sweeping changes, including a federal abortion ban, mass deportations, and potential changes to vaccine regulations—policies that align with the views expressed by former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on deregulation.
“We are about to enter a political period that will have consequences for the rest of our lives. We cannot give up,” she remarked, underscoring the long-term impact of these changes.
In recent statements, both Trump and Kennedy have dialed back on some of these proposals; Trump has stated that a federal abortion ban is “off the table,” and Kennedy has clarified that he does not intend to eliminate vaccines. However, Ocasio-Cortez cautioned against falling into partisan divisions.
“Our focus has to be uniting the working class in this country against a fascist agenda,” she stated. “This election has dealt us a significant setback, with a rise in working-class support for ideas that resemble past instances in history.”
Reflecting on her personal journey, Ocasio-Cortez shared how her own financial struggles fueled her political aspirations. “This wasn’t just a casual job I had in my youth,” she said. “I went from wiping down bars to walking the halls of Congress. I didn’t run because I was opposing a Republican; I ran because the Democrat in my district didn’t reflect the needs of families and communities like mine. I wanted someone who would boldly stand for issues like a $15 minimum wage.”
Ocasio-Cortez also praised Vice President Kamala Harris for her efforts in an unprecedented campaign, noting the limited time Harris had to build a platform as a significant factor. “Kamala Harris was given an assignment no one else in American history has faced: to construct a presidential campaign in a matter of months to counter an established and powerful political force,” she observed.