White House Calls AOC ‘Leader’ of the Democratic Party

The White House ripped into New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for her stance on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while simultaneously referring to her as the “leader” of the Democratic Party.

Newsweek reached out to Ocasio-Cortez’s office via email Wednesday for comment.

Why It Matters

Since his inauguration on January 20, President Donald Trump has prioritized immigration as a key pillar within his administration. Trump utilized the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a wartime law that grants the commander in chief authority to detain or deport non-citizens. The implementation was originally blocked in federal court and has since sparked a contentious legal back-and-forth.

The Supreme Court originally upheld Trump’s implementation of the act, but it ruled that deportees have the right to challenge their removal in a proper venue before being removed.

What To Know

Ocasio-Cortez has revived her opposition to ICE, calling it a “rogue agency that should not exist,” Fox News reported, citing a fundraising email obtained by the outlet.

The White House called out the lawmaker on Wednesday saying in part, “While President Donald J. Trump, his administration, and the heroes of ICE work overtime to rid our country of criminal illegal immigrant killers, rapists, and gangbangers, top Democrats are doubling down on their call to eliminate the agency responsible for getting these animals off our streets.”

The statement went on to reference the reported fundraising email, quoting Ocasio-Cortez saying, “I believe that ICE, an agency that was just formed in 2003 during the Patriot Act era, is a rogue agency that should not exist.”

It then refers to her as “Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the leader of the Democrat Party.”

“Where is the congresswoman’s concern for her fellow New Yorkers who have been brutally killed, maimed, and raped by criminal illegal immigrants allowed to roam free due to New York’s so-called ‘sanctuary’ policies?” the White House said, listing recent ICE arrests in New York.

Democrats have seemingly been in disarray since losing the White House, Senate and Congress after the election. Uncertainty about which figureheads to support within the party has also eroded internal cohesion.

It is unclear whom the party will rally behind in 2028, as the field is wide open. Early polling, however, suggests that Ocasio-Cortez, former Vice President Kamala Harris, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker are all potential front-runners.

What People Are Saying

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson in the statement on Wednesday: “AOC, Democrat Party leader, calls for abolishing ICE. Meanwhile, the brave men and women of ICE get dangerous criminal illegal immigrants off our streets and protect American citizens. Why does AOC want to stop that?”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, Wednesday on X, formerly Twitter: “Democrats still want to CLOSE DOWN ICE and OPEN UP our borders. It’s not going to happen. Under President Trump, our border is SECURE once again and with the One Big Beautiful Bill, we’ll provide ICE with additional funding for 10,000 new ICE officers and more detention space.”

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, last week on X: “TPS [Temporary Protected Status] allowed thousands of Venezuelan families who fled to the U.S. to live and work here legally. They are trying to do things the right way. Trump isn’t cracking down on “illegal” immigration—he’s taking away people’s legal status and growing the number of undocumented people.”

What Happens Next

It is expected that the Trump administration will continue to fight for its immigration policies in court as Democrats regroup following the 2024 election loss.