In a video post teeming with unsubstantiated fearmongering, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) took to Instagram to unleash a bizarre rant, claiming that former President Donald Trump, now the president-elect, will jail political “dissidents” and even turn the U.S. military on Americans who oppose him. This dramatic display is one of the most extreme responses yet to Trump’s return to the White House — but it’s hardly surprising coming from the left-wing lawmaker who seems determined to paint every policy disagreement in apocalyptic terms.
Starting with dire warnings about the importance of the “next few years,” Ocasio-Cortez claimed, “We are about to enter a political period that will have consequences for the rest of our lives. We cannot give up.” From there, her statements spiraled. She invoked imagery of “fascism” and “authoritarianism,” suggesting that Trump’s administration would take cues from foreign “strongmen” and could “turn the military on U.S. citizens.”
What’s more, she insinuated that President-elect Trump is ready to jail “political dissidents or legislative opponents” — a claim as baseless as it is sensational. “This is the world that we very realistically may be entering,” she added, as if simply repeating it could make such an improbable future come true.
This isn’t the first time AOC has issued such grim warnings. She has a history of conjuring up dystopian predictions whenever Trump makes headlines. Just this past summer, with Trump’s polling numbers on the rise, she claimed, “I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy threw me in jail. He’s out of his mind.” These theatrics are part and parcel of her political style, frequently aimed at stirring up her base with fear-based messaging rather than constructive dialogue.
Doubling down on her claims, she asserted, “I take him at his word when he says he’s going to round up people. I take him at his word when he threatens journalists.” Yet anyone watching her remarks is left wondering, what “words” is she talking about? Trump’s actual statements on governance and policy have largely focused on fixing the economy, securing the border, and pushing back on overreach by unelected bureaucrats.
What Ocasio-Cortez conveniently omits is the lack of any credible precedent for her claims in Trump’s first term, which was defined more by efforts to streamline government and put American interests first, rather than by “rounding up” his critics. Her comments ignore the fact that Trump, even at the height of opposition during his first term, never resorted to the authoritarian tactics she describes.
Ironically, it’s not Trump who has turned the state on dissenters; his presidency was marked by fierce media opposition, high-profile investigations, and constant scrutiny from every arm of the government. If anything, his administration’s experience demonstrated the resilience of American checks and balances, a reality that doesn’t align with AOC’s panicked vision.
AOC’s remarks come off as hyperbolic fear tactics rather than serious political discourse. Rather than engaging in meaningful debate about the policies on Trump’s agenda, she appears focused on stirring up anxiety and distrust — an approach that is unlikely to help bridge the divide in this country.
Americans are looking for leadership that offers real solutions, not another round of “the sky is falling” rhetoric. Ocasio-Cortez’s alarmist comments may please her base, but they lack substance and distract from actual issues facing the nation.
