GOP Says AOC Broke The Law
Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) recently raised concerns about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-N.Y.) actions, suggesting that her webinar aimed at helping immigrants understand their rights during deportation encounters may have crossed legal lines.
Appearing on “The Benny Show” podcast, Scott criticized the congresswoman’s actions, emphasizing that elected officials should focus on upholding the Constitution, not advising people on how to circumvent the law. “Our job is to protect the Constitution, not to guide individuals on how to evade its protections,” Scott stated, questioning Ocasio-Cortez’s role in such activities.
The Florida senator made it clear that he believed public servants shouldn’t be encouraging lawlessness. “It doesn’t seem like it’s in my job description to show people how not to comply with the law,” he remarked. Scott’s comments came after Ocasio-Cortez hosted a “Know Your Rights” seminar on February 12, where she provided advice to immigrants about interacting with immigration enforcement agents. Scott indicated that these actions appeared to be illegal, raising concerns about her potential violation of federal law.
Scott urged accountability, stating that Tom Homan, who served as President Trump’s point man on immigration, should investigate the congresswoman’s actions. “We need equal protection under the law,” Scott stressed, advocating for a full legal review if Ocasio-Cortez indeed violated any laws.
Tom Homan had previously suggested that Ocasio-Cortez’s seminar could undermine federal immigration enforcement. Homan expressed concerns that her actions might impede the government’s work, even going so far as to call for a legal investigation into the matter.
Ocasio-Cortez, however, has staunchly defended her actions. She insists that she was simply exercising her First Amendment rights and sent a letter to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi seeking clarification on whether any political pressure was influencing the Department of Justice’s stance on her free speech rights.
This dispute highlights the ongoing tension between free speech, immigration enforcement, and the responsibilities of public officials, and it will likely continue to spark debate on both sides of the political spectrum.
