The Iranians protesting in the streets have suddenly scored a new ally: the far-left New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, popularly known as AOC. On Jan. 11, the Democrat lawmaker wrote on X:
“The Iranian government’s violent crackdown on demonstrators is horrific and must stop now. All people have the right to protest their government without fear of violence. I support the Iranians taking to the streets to call for a better future.”
Her post unleashed a fury of ridicule in the comments, given her track record of condemning President Donald Trump’s actions against the Iranian government, opposing legislation for sanctions on the regime, and refusing to condemn Iran for attacks on Israel.
AOC and Her Record on Iran
Five years ago, Ocasio-Cortez lambasted Trump for ordering the drone strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, writing on Jan. 3, 2020: “Last night the President engaged in what is widely being recognized as an act of war against Iran, one that now risks the lives of millions of innocent people. Now is the moment to prevent war & protect innocent people — the question for many is how, publicly & Congressionally."
That drone strike was in response to an attack on the US embassy in Baghdad just four days earlier, when violent supporters of the Iranian-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah reportedly breached the embassy’s outer perimeter, set fires, and clashed with security forces. The attack followed an exchange of fire after Iran killed an American contractor. Trump then posted on Twitter (now known as X):
“Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded and always will. Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible. In addition, we expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy and so notified!”
Where was her concern for Americans who feared violence at the hands of backers of the Iranian regime? On June 22, 2025, one day after the successful US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, AOC called for the president to be impeached:
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“The President’s disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers. He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations. It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment."
But it was her actions in the House that showed the greatest hypocrisy. Just days before the US strike on Iran, AOC joined a bipartisan group of House members who drafted a War Powers Resolution, aimed at blocking US involvement in Iran as its conflict with Israel escalated.
In March 2020, she joined Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and fellow Squad member Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and nearly three dozen lawmakers in a letter urging the Trump administration to ease sanctions against Iran in the midst of the pandemic.
In April 2024, AOC criticized a package of bills and resolutions, including sanctions against Iran, issued in response to the Iranian military attack on Israel:
“Following last weekend’s unprecedented response by Iran to Israel’s attack on its consulate, the Republican Majority is explicitly leveraging a series of bills to further escalate tensions in the Middle East. This is a blatant attempt to distract from their own incompetence. The country and the world need real leadership from the House of Representatives in this moment, not resolutions designed purposefully to increase the likelihood of a deadly regional war or worse. I will oppose any cynical effort to further inflame tensions, destroy a path to peace in the region, and further divide the American people."
Soon after, AOC was one of 14 House lawmakers to vote against a resolution condemning Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile strikes against Israel. It passed 404-14, with 13 of the “nay” votes coming from Democrats.
Now, AOC is posting support for the Iranian protesters and calling the regime’s (government’s) violent crackdown on them “horrific.”
While some of the comments on her X page noted her hypocrisy and “hollow platitudes,” a few said she is polishing her posture for a presidential run. AOC’s statements going forward will be interesting as President Trump considers action to help the Iranians protesting the regime she opposed striking and sanctioning in the not-so-distant past.
