New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—as a visitor to government run detention centers—gave testimony at Friday's House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the child separation policy at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Representative talked about her conversations with 17 women who were being held at detention facilities.
The congresswoman—who has been accused of lying about her experiences by members of the Trump administration—asked to be sworn in.
But as with most things the freshman House member, conservatives soon pounced on her choice to swear and affirm that her testimony would be the truth.
At a hearing on migrant children and border security, @AOC is sworn in for dramatic effect. "We usually don't requ… https://t.co/rSIhzyLzQC— Washington Examiner (@Washington Examiner) 1562944518.0
"Will it cut down the time for questions and give me cool TV footage?" "Well, yes" "Okay, swear me in." https://t.co/EG8yZqqgoi— Tom Nichols (@Tom Nichols) 1562947163.0
MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski asked why.
What is this. Why? @AOC ? https://t.co/B0fBWEQChi— Mika Brzezinski (@Mika Brzezinski) 1562947942.0
Ocasio-Cortez responded to Brzezinski's question, explaining to all those who did not understand the reason for her symbolic gesture.
@morningmika GOP has been stating that I am lying about the translated accounts of migrants at the border, particul… https://t.co/AO82X2lR4Z— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1562948321.0
Some caught that the meaning would be lost on some no matter what.
@JayCaruso @AOC @morningmika @RadioFreeTom I’m not an AOC cheerleader, but it’s pretty obvious that you’ll never gi… https://t.co/8Mb75A9Ris— Daniel Meersand (@Daniel Meersand) 1562950423.0
But Nichols decided to share his expertise again.
@DanMeersand @JayCaruso @AOC @morningmika All she has to do is start taking her job seriously. Too much to ask in this environment.— Tom Nichols (@Tom Nichols) 1562950518.0
And found few allies...
@RadioFreeTom @DanMeersand @JayCaruso @AOC @morningmika I know you may not agree with her tactics, but questioning… https://t.co/ceiY9qqyMW— Katie (@Katie) 1562951165.0
But he could not help but keep digging.
@ktcar20 @DanMeersand @JayCaruso @AOC @morningmika I think she is a fundamentally unserious person and is not helpi… https://t.co/JUuTBmlpaY— Tom Nichols (@Tom Nichols) 1562951225.0
@axiomatic13 @ktcar20 @DanMeersand @JayCaruso @AOC @morningmika Always happens when you cross a celebrity fan club.— Tom Nichols (@Tom Nichols) 1562957999.0
@RadioFreeTom @ktcar20 @DanMeersand @JayCaruso @AOC @morningmika Just because white men won’t take a woman seriousl… https://t.co/owU54hjmr0— pseudosaurus (@pseudosaurus) 1562952384.0
@RadioFreeTom @ktcar20 @DanMeersand @JayCaruso @AOC @morningmika She’s much more serious than this President and administration.— Itsgoingbrown💋 (@Itsgoingbrown💋) 1562951997.0
@RadioFreeTom @ktcar20 @DanMeersand @JayCaruso @AOC @morningmika Translation: "I can't see past her being a *her,*… https://t.co/WLZTln8Nss— |¦|¦|¦| ɴᴏᴏʙɴᴏᴏʙ ≒) |¦|¦|¦| (@|¦|¦|¦| ɴᴏᴏʙɴᴏᴏʙ ≒) |¦|¦|¦|) 1562952498.0
@AOC @morningmika It’s called honesty Tom. And unfortunately with this administration the notion is vague and liqui… https://t.co/hehk8Rz73G— --- (@---) 1562949376.0
@RadioFreeTom @ktcar20 @DanMeersand @JayCaruso @AOC @morningmika So what public service have you performed? Have y… https://t.co/ElUKXaZUOB— mayor.ray (@mayor.ray) 1562952263.0
@RadioFreeTom @ktcar20 @DanMeersand @JayCaruso @AOC @morningmika It's because she's hot? she can't be taken serious… https://t.co/7Yz89J5hlj— John M. (@John M.) 1562952412.0
@RadioFreeTom @ktcar20 @DanMeersand @JayCaruso @AOC @morningmika We pretty clearly see a different AOC. I am a lily… https://t.co/QqGV0D1Ixa— Shifty Mike Dunalewicz (@Shifty Mike Dunalewicz) 1562952247.0
@RadioFreeTom @ktcar20 @DanMeersand @JayCaruso @AOC @morningmika AOC: Becomes one of the leading advocates against… https://t.co/9mGQRWWHvV— DeMinimisFringe (@DeMinimisFringe) 1562951788.0
@RadioFreeTom @ktcar20 @DanMeersand @JayCaruso @AOC @morningmika She's going to be in Congress for a long time, bec… https://t.co/2KVY1fzr69— Russian Quotation Mark (@Russian Quotation Mark) 1562960555.0
Or at least no allies with substantive arguments to make.
@scar_dnd @AOC @morningmika @realDonaldTrump Name a lie please!! Promises made PROMISES KEPT #MAGA #MAGAMOVEMENT #KAG2020— Pamwise (@Pamwise) 1562955140.0
People pondered why AOC is the favorite target of conservatives and White older men like Tom Nichols.
@RadioFreeTom Bad take, Tom. Not necessary.— Travis Akers (@Travis Akers) 1562952108.0
People restated what was obvious to many except people like Nichols.
@RadioFreeTom SHE WAS A WITNESS. If AOC hadn’t been sworn in, conservatives would have used that as an excuse to… https://t.co/wXnw7EPV2D— mollyswordmcdonough🌊 (@mollyswordmcdonough🌊) 1562949778.0
@mollysmcdonough @RadioFreeTom The misogyny is just mind blowing— Amy (@Amy) 1562951235.0
@RadioFreeTom GOP was saying she was lying about what she saw in the concentration camps. This was powerful. Y’all… https://t.co/CAgpzsUkKh— Anastasia Barzee (@Anastasia Barzee) 1562949449.0
Representative Ocasio-Cortez repeated statements she made previously about conditions at the government controlled facilities.
.@AOC: "I believe these women. I believed the canker sores that I saw in their mouths. I believed when they said th… https://t.co/7zQPPAaPYM— Brian Tyler Cohen (@Brian Tyler Cohen) 1562953820.0
The Congressional hearings are ongoing.
If you're a fan of satire and comics, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Freshman Force is available here.
"It's Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the "Freshmen Force" (of Congress) vs. the establishment in this all-new special! Comic creators converge to celebrate the election of the most diverse group of freshman Representatives in history, and spare no-one in this satire that takes aim at Washington. From the house that brought you Barack the Barbarian! Featuring comics from various artists and bonus activities and games."