AOC Betrays Squad-Aligned Ally In Gorgeous Twist
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is backing away from a left-wing push to take out House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a rare moment of daylight between the socialist star and her ideological kin.
The flare-up began when New York City Council member Chi Osse, a close ally of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, announced plans to launch a 2026 primary against Jeffries. Ocasio-Cortez first claimed she was “not aware” of Osse’s play, then quickly signaled she wanted no part of it.
“But I certainly don’t think a primary challenge to the leader is a good idea right now,” she said.
Even Mamdani sounded wary when pressed about his friend’s gambit, despite both men belonging to the Democratic Socialists of America.
“I believe that there are many ways right here in New York City to both deliver on an affordability agenda and take on the authoritarian administration in the White House,” Mamdani told reporters Monday.
The New York Post reported last week that Mamdani had urged Osse not to run at all.
Los Angeles, CA- USA – 04-12-2025 AOC at “Fight Oligarchy” rally LA
The would-be insurgency is a direct shot at the old-school Democratic establishment from the party’s restless progressive wing, which is feeling emboldened after Mamdani’s shock mayoral win and recent blue victories in New Jersey and Virginia.
Jeffries, meanwhile, kept his distance from Mamdani’s campaign until the last minute. The Brooklyn power broker withheld an endorsement for months after the socialist upset the city’s political class in June. He finally delivered one just before early voting.
Osse’s home turf overlaps with Jeffries’ backyard: New York’s 8th Congressional District, which covers part of Brooklyn. Osse represents Bedford-Stuyvesant and North Crown Heights, and rose to prominence during the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020. Elected at 23, he became the youngest City Council member and the chamber’s first Gen Z representative.
He has now filed paperwork establishing “Chi Osse for Congress” through Katz Compliance, though he hasn’t formally announced a run.
Osse is already taking heat for reversing himself after saying only weeks ago, “It would take a very dire situation in order for me to even consider spending the rest of my 20s in DC. Just to be clear, I’m not running for Congress.”
On Monday, he shrugged off the contradiction, posting on X that it “seems like we’re in a dire situation.”
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