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Dissention among Democratic ranks
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) ignited controversy among House Democratic ranks this week after allegedly threatening Democrats who vote with Republicans that they will be put on a "list" for primary challenges.
Now, Ocasio-Cortez is backtracking.
During a closed-door meeting Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) admonished two dozen moderate Democrats for sometimes siding with Republicans, urging unequivocal support for the Democratic agenda and universal condemnation of Republican policies.
"We are either a team or we're not, and we have to make that decision," Pelosi said, according to the Washington Post.
Then Ocasio-Cortez "upped the ante," the Post reported, suggesting during the meeting that she would help unseat disloyal moderate Democrats. Corbin Trent, Ocasio-Cortez's spokesman, said Ocasio-Cortez told her Democratic colleagues that if they continue to support Republican policies, they "are putting themselves on a list" for a primary challenge.
More from the Post:
Triggering the blowup was Wednesday's votes on a bill to expand federal background checks for gun purchases. Twenty-six moderate Democrats joined Republicans in amending the legislation, adding a provision requiring that ICE be notified if an illegal immigrant seeks to purchase a gun.
Unsurprisingly, Ocasio-Cortez's threat rocked moderate Democrats who believe they are responsible for giving Democrats the majority in the House.
On Friday, Ocasio-Cortez claimed she did not level the threat, despite other mainstream media outlets corroborating the Post's reporting.
By Saturday, Ocasio-Cortez doubled-down, this time invoking Immigration and Customs Enforcement, claiming the agency "pins children down" and "forcibly injects them w/ antipsychotic drugs." She also claimed there is "widespread reporting of rape" among ICE ranks; she did not cite evidence to back the claim.
Again, didn't threaten a primary.
I was upset that 26 Dems forced the other 200+ to vote for a pro-ICE provision at the last min without warning.
Because I think an agency that pins children down + forcibly injects them w/ antipsychotic drugs shouldn't be given more power. https://t.co/1e3cWXzOT6
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 2, 2019
“At [DHS immigrant detention] facility, children recounted being held down for forcible injections, which medical records show are powerful antipsychotics and sedatives." https://t.co/mEmgTmQlIT
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 2, 2019
What I DID say was that I had to go back to my district & share the MTR vote to explain why a pro-ICE amendment was slipped into a gun safety law.
Maybe they're mad bc I don't believe pro-ICE expansion votes should be cast in the dark, and people deserve to know what happened.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 2, 2019
#MomsDemand & #MarchForOurLives activists, who flew in from across the country, were watching from the gallery, crying + confused.
I ran up to them *during the vote* and explained that the gotcha amendment pinned gun safety against immigration advocacy. Its intent was to divide.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 2, 2019
If you're mad that I think people SHOULD KNOW when Dems vote to expand ICE powers, then be mad.
ICE is a dangerous agency with 0 accountability, widespread reporting of rape, abuse of power, + children dying in DHS custody.
Having a D next to your name doesn't make that right.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 2, 2019