Ocasio-Cortez Suffers Double Blow As Socialism Takes Over Dem Party
Political tensions within the Democratic Party resurfaced this week as socialism and its prominent advocates faced renewed scrutiny. A series of developments in Washington placed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other progressive voices at the center of national attention, beginning with a bipartisan House vote targeting the ideology itself. Legislators approved a resolution condemning what it described as the “horrors of socialism,” a measure that drew support from both parties and sparked further debate over the direction of Democratic leadership.
The resolution passed with a vote of 285–98. Republican Arkansas Rep. French Hill urged lawmakers to support the measure, saying, “A yes vote on this resolution should be a relatively straightforward, easy decision. It simply states that Congress denounces socialism in all its forms and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States of America.” Among the Democrats who voted in favor were 14 members from New York and New Jersey, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
The timing coincided with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s visit to Washington for what was reported to be his first meeting with President Donald Trump. Mamdani, a progressive whose election energized left-leaning grassroots groups, has become one of several rising figures associated with a growing democratic-socialist wing of the party.
Not everyone within the party agrees on how to engage that movement. Recent criticism has surfaced regarding leadership decisions, particularly surrounding Ocasio-Cortez. Some progressive commentators argued that Democratic leadership has not elevated newer members, instead continuing to rely on long-time lawmakers. One analyst wrote, “At this point almost nothing the Democratic Party does makes any damned sense. They are hanging onto their gerontocracy and consultant class at the expense of their most loyal voters.” Others shared similar concerns on social media, suggesting the party risks falling out of step with younger voters if generational turnover does not occur.
Political analysts note that the ideological divide forming between moderates and progressives is not new. However, this latest confrontation underscores how debates over strategy, representation, and core beliefs could shape the party’s direction heading into the next election cycle.