Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Friday took aim at the Trump administration’s immigration policies, proposed spending cuts, and treatment of student protestors, using a town hall event in Jackson Heights, Queens to deliver a fiery rebuke of what she described as an ongoing assault on civil liberties and the environment.
The New York congresswoman, a leading figure in the progressive movement, spoke for nearly two hours in front of a packed local audience, during which she addressed a range of issues including the administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status for more than 600,000 Venezuelan migrants and the arrest of college students involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
“This is anti-immigration,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “It is very important that we understand that and cut through the rhetoric and cut through the nonsense, because they do not know why America is great. Or if they do, they are deliberately eroding what makes us great. Our civil liberties, our civil protections — those are foundational.”
She added, “It is eroding and degrading what it means to be an American when we rip up our Constitution and due process. And that’s exactly what they’re doing here. We have, of course, attacks on free speech.”
The congresswoman, who has long clashed with conservative immigration officials, also directed sharp words at Tom Homan, President Trump’s border czar, saying, “Come for me.” Her comments drew loud cheers from many in the audience.
Ocasio-Cortez used the event to criticize the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for proposed budget cuts that she said target programs essential to the environment, public health, and education. She argued that the administration’s approach is driven by ideology, not evidence or compassion.
“Anything that has to do with the environment is bad and should be cut — that seems to be the logic,” she said. “And I don’t even think they understood the extent to which this is compromising and hurting people. This is not just political. These are real consequences in real communities.”
The congresswoman’s town hall was briefly interrupted by a protestor, who began shouting during the immigration segment. “I am a health care worker, and I want to know what you’re doing about the genocide in Gaza,” the woman yelled, accusing Ocasio-Cortez of ignoring the issue and calling her a “liar.”
As the woman continued shouting, a mixture of boos and calls for calm rippled through the crowd. The protestor was eventually escorted out. Ocasio-Cortez then addressed the interruption, saying she welcomed criticism but asked that it follow basic guidelines of respect.
“I welcome people who disagree with me or who are super pissed off at me for any issue to come, but we have some ground rules here,” she told the audience. “Please wait for the Q&A because we don’t want to deprive all of our neighbors of the ability to have information and hearing them to respond to it.”
Ocasio-Cortez has spoken about the war in Gaza in recent weeks, calling for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian assistance, though some progressives have expressed frustration that she has not taken a more forceful stance.
The town hall appearance comes as part of a broader campaign of public engagement by Ocasio-Cortez, who has been traveling the country with Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont as part of the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour.
The tour has taken the two lawmakers through college campuses and city halls, where they’ve delivered speeches on income inequality, student debt, corporate influence, and the erosion of democratic norms.
The tour has fueled speculation about Ocasio-Cortez’s political future, including the possibility of a presidential run in 2028. She has not confirmed any such ambitions but remains one of the most high-profile Democrats in the country.
According to recent filings, she raised $9.5 million in the first quarter of 2025, a personal fundraising record, and entered the second quarter with over $8.2 million in campaign funds on hand.
Inside the Queens town hall, the energy was unmistakable. Dozens of constituents lined up to ask questions ranging from federal housing programs to climate policy to the future of public education. Ocasio-Cortez responded with policy details, personal anecdotes, and frequent calls to stay politically engaged.
She also warned that complacency among Democrats and progressives could allow sweeping policies from the Trump administration to go unchallenged. “We can’t afford to wait until November 2028 to resist,” she said. “If we wait that long, it will be too late for too many people.”
Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged frustration among some on the left who feel their voices are not being fully heard within the Democratic establishment. But she urged continued involvement and pressure on all levels of government.
“It is not enough to win elections if we don’t govern with courage,” she said. “And it’s not enough to speak out unless we’re backing it up with action. That means organizing, it means holding people accountable — including me.”
Throughout the event, the congresswoman emphasized the importance of defending constitutional rights, especially as federal actions in recent months have drawn scrutiny from civil rights organizations.
“We are watching an administration try to decide what people can say and where they can say it,” she said, referring to the arrests of student protestors. “That is not just anti-democratic. It is unconstitutional. And if we let this go unchecked, what’s next?”
She encouraged the audience to stay engaged through nonviolent protest, voting, civic action, and community organizing. “The power we have comes from standing together,” she said. “Not from rage, not from fear, but from our collective ability to act.”
By the end of the town hall, it was clear that Ocasio-Cortez continues to hold sway with her base. Whether she is preparing for a national run or continuing to build her influence in Congress, her message remains consistent — resist, organize, and fight for those most vulnerable.
For many in the room, that message still resonates. Whether they agreed with her on every issue or not, they saw her as someone who was showing up, speaking out, and standing firm in the face of political pressure.
