GET THE APP
Monday, February 23, 2026

Tag: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
February 16, 2026
Politics

Schumer Pushes Bill to Elevate Pride Flag to Same Status as the American Flag.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced plans to introduce legislation to recognize the Pride flag as a congressionally authorized flag, granting it protections similar to the U.S. flag and other federally recognized flags.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Chuck Schumer, the Trump administration, the Department of the Interior, and the National Park Service (NPS).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Sen. Schumer announced he would introduce the legislation on February 15, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Stonewall is sacred ground, and Congress must act now to permanently protect the Pride flag and what it stands for.” – Chuck Schumer

🎯IMPACT: Schumer’s introduction of the bill is largely seen as an attempt to shore up support among more radical and progressive factions in the Democratic Party, which have become increasingly critical of his leadership in Congress.

IN FULL

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has announced plans on Sunday to introduce legislation that would recognize the Pride flag as a congressionally authorized flag. This move would grant the flag protections similar to those afforded to the U.S. flag, military flags, and other emblems officially recognized by Congress.

The legislative push by Sen. Schumer follows the removal of a Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument earlier this year. President Donald J. Trump, through a directive from the Department of the Interior, ordered the removal of “non-agency” flags at national parks, which included the Pride flag. The directive, signed by National Park Service (NPS) Acting Director Jessica Bowron, allowed exceptions for historical, military, and federally recognized tribal flags.

“Stonewall is sacred ground, and Congress must act now to permanently protect the Pride flag and what it stands for. Trump’s hateful crusade must end,” Schumer said in a statement. Notably, the Pride flag has since been reinstalled outside the Stonewall Inn, the site of the 1969 riots among New York City’s homosexual community after the New York Police Department (NYPD) raided the Greenwich Village bar. In 2016, former President Barack Obama designated the bar’s location as the Stonewall National Monument, which is now overseen by the NPS.

While the legislation is unlikely to see adoption in the Senate, Schumer’s introduction of the bill is largely seen as an attempt to shore up support among more radical and progressive factions in the Democratic Party, which have become increasingly critical of his leadership in Congress. Schumer currently faces a possible primary challenge from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who is well-positioned with the party’s far-left base.

Image by DVSROSS.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
December 1, 2025
Politics

Democrats Aim for Surprise Win in Tennessee MAGA Stronghold.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A special election is being held in Tennessee’s Republican-heavy congressional district to replace Mark Green (R-TN), who resigned in July.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Republican candidate Matt Van Epps, Democrat candidate Aftyn Behn, the House Majority PAC, President Donald J. Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), and Tennessee voters.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The election takes place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I hate the city, I hate the bachelorettes, I hate the pedal taverns, I hate country music, I hate all of the things that make Nashville apparently an ‘it’ city to the rest of the country. But I hate it.” — Aftyn Behn in 2020.

🎯IMPACT: A Democratic win could shrink the Republican House majority and disrupt President Trump’s legislative agenda.

IN FULL

On Tuesday, voters in Tennessee’s 7th congressional district will head to the polls in a critical special election to replace former Congressman Mark Green (R-TN), who resigned this past July. While the district, which overwhelmingly voted for President Donald J. Trump by a 22-point margin in the 2024 presidential election, is largely seen as a Republican stronghold, data shows the current race as being nearly neck-in-neck.

Republican candidate Matt Van Epps is facing Democrat state representative Aftyn Behn, with both national parties throwing significant resources into the election contest. A Democrat victory would significantly weaken the Republican majority in the House of Representatives, reducing it to just a single seat. It may portend a Democrat wave election in the 2026 midterms.

Concerningly for the GOP, polling suggests a tighter-than-expected race, with an Emerson College Polling survey showing Van Epps leading Behn by just two percentage points. The district, which includes rural areas, parts of Nashville, and Clarksville, has seen both parties heavily invest in campaign ads and outreach. Black voters, who comprise approximately 15 percent of the district, are considered key to a potential Democratic victory, although turnout remains uncertain.

The tight contest has prompted President Trump to intervene, posting a slew of social media statements over the weekend, urging Republican voters to the polls on Tuesday. Additionally, Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) held a tele-rally for Van Epps, with the President emphasizing the need for voters to turn out.

Behn, who is backed by the Democratic Party’s House Majority PAC, has described herself as the “AOC of Tennessee” and has campaigned openly as a radical progressive—though she has honed her campaign to focus on affordability. However, Behn—who Van Epps has branded as a “crazy leftwing radical”—has found herself recently on the defensive after it was revealed she stated during a 2020 podcast, “I hate the city, I hate the bachelorettes, I hate the pedal taverns, I hate country music, I hate all of the things that make Nashville apparently an ‘it’ city to the rest of the country. But I hate it.”

Image by Sixflashphoto.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
September 19, 2025
Politics

WATCH: AOC Trashes ‘Ignorant, Uneducated’ Charlie Kirk While Voting Against Resolution Condemning Political Violence.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) explained her “No” vote on a resolution honoring Charlie Kirk and condemning political violence, smearing the assassinated Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Charlie Kirk, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), and members of Congress.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The vote took place in the House of Representatives on Friday.

💬KEY QUOTE: The resolution “brings great pain to the millions of Americans who endured segregation, Jim Crow, and the legacy of that bigotry today,” Rep. Ocasio-Cortez complained.

🎯IMPACT: The resolution passed 310-58. All 58 “No” votes were cast by Democrats.

IN FULL

Far-left Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) took to the House floor on Friday to defend her vote against a GOP-backed resolution that honored assassinated Turning Point USA (TPUSA) leader Charlie Kirk and “call[ed] upon all Americans—regardless of race, party affiliation, or creed—to reject political violence, recommit to respectful debate, uphold American values, and respect one another as fellow Americans.” The resolution was brought forward by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) in response to Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University on September 10.

On Friday afternoon, the resolution passed with 310 “Yes” votes and 58 “No” votes—all of which were Democrats. Ocasio-Cortez took to the House floor and criticized the resolution, calling it “reckless” and accusing House Republicans of using it to further “divide” Americans. She argued that the resolution “brings great pain to the millions of Americans who endured segregation, Jim Crow, and the legacy of that bigotry today.”

While acknowledging the horror of Kirk’s assassination, Ocasio-Cortez attempted to smear Kirk’s legacy by taking various quotes out of context. She stated, “We should be clear about who Charlie Kirk was: a man who believed that the Civil Rights Act that granted Black Americans the right to vote was a ‘mistake,’ who after the violent attack on Paul Pelosi claimed that ‘some amazing patriot out there’ should bail out his assailant, and accused Jews of controlling ‘not just the colleges—it’s the nonprofits, it’s the movies, it’s Hollywood, it’s all of it.’”

Ocasio-Cortez—who is weighing a possible 2028 presidential run and enjoys broad support in the Democratic Party—falsely claimed that Kirk’s “rhetoric and beliefs were ignorant, uneducated, and sought to disenfranchise millions of Americans,” in contrast to the resolution’s assertion that he “worked tirelessly to promote unity.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
September 19, 2025
Politics

AOC Considering 2028 Presidential Bid.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Far-left Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is reportedly ramping up her political operation for a potential 2028 presidential run.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and possible donors and supporters.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Ocasio-Cortez has been holding town halls across upstate New York and participating in a national “Fighting Oligarchy” tour with Bernie Sanders for several months. The report about her potential presidential run and political operation ramp-up surfaced on Friday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “She has a supporter base that, in many ways, has a larger potential width than Bernie’s,” said Ari Rabin-Havt, a Progressive commentator and former aide to Sen. Sanders.

🎯IMPACT: The potential run would position Ocasio-Cortez as the leading figure for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, with implications for both Senate and presidential races.

IN FULL

Far-left Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)—popularly known as AOC—is reportedly ramping up her political operation ahead of a potential presidential run in 2028. It is believed Ocasio-Cortez and her team are weighing whether to pursue the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)—who has signalled he may not run for re-election in 2028—or aim for the White House.

AOC, who represents parts of Queens and the Bronx, has been working to expand her influence both in New York and across the country. She has joined Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on his nationwide “Fighting Oligarchy” tour and has held town halls throughout upstate New York this summer. Additionally, she has invested significant resources into growing her social media presence and compiling a list of potential supporters and donors, according to reports.

While no official decision has been made, it is believed Ocasio-Cortez’s team aims to keep her options open. Some allies believe that even if she doesn’t think she can secure the presidential nomination, a run for the White House would ensure the progressive wing of the Democratic Party has a voice in the primary, similar to Sanders’s 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton.

If she opts to pursue a Senate seat, Ocasio-Cortez could challenge Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, though it appears he may not seek re-election. Schumer, 74, has served five terms and last won re-election in 2022 without facing a serious challenge from the left.

Ari Rabin-Havt, a former Sanders aide, told the media on Friday, “She has a supporter base that, in many ways, has a larger potential width than Bernie’s. She has been in the glare of the spotlight from day one and has the national campaigning experience a lot of other potential candidates are now trying to get.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
August 7, 2025
Politics

2028 Democrat Hopefuls Now Trying to Distance Themselves from Migrant Giveaways.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Democratic governors in California, Illinois, and Minnesota have rolled back public health care benefits for illegal immigrants, citing budget constraints.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Governors Gavin Newsom, J.B. Pritzker, and Tim Walz; immigrant advocates, and state legislatures.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Policy changes were enacted in 2025 across California, Illinois, and Minnesota.

💬KEY QUOTE: “There were very difficult conversations… but at the end of the day, we were able to come to this agreement.” – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D)

🎯IMPACT: The cuts will affect tens of thousands of undocumented residents and have sparked backlash from immigrant rights groups and progressives.

IN FULL

Three Democratic governors—California’s Gavin Newsom, Illinois’s J.B. Pritzker, and Minnesota’s Tim Walz—have implemented policy changes to freeze, cap, or eliminate health benefits for illegal immigrants, citing budget shortfalls. These cuts come as all three governors are viewed as potential contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.

In California, Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to cap new enrollment for illegal immigrant adults in Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program. While current enrollees will retain coverage, they will face new costs, including a $100 monthly premium starting in 2027. “We are not cutting or rolling back those that are already enrolled in our Medi-Cal system, we’re just capping it,” Newsom said. More than 120 organizations have condemned the move, calling it harmful.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a bipartisan bill removing illegal immigrant adults from MinnesotaCare, the state’s low-income insurance program. Walz acknowledged the challenges, saying, “There were very difficult conversations… but at the end of the day, we were able to come to this agreement.”

In Illinois, Governor J.B. Pritzker ended a program providing health coverage to over 30,000 illegal immigrant adults, effective July 1. Pritzker described the decision as “difficult” but necessary to balance the budget, blaming national economic challenges. “This year, passing a balanced budget required the difficult decision that reflects the reality of Trump and Republicans tanking our national economy and attempting to strip away healthcare,” his office stated.

Far-left critics argue these decisions undermine vulnerable populations and fail to distinguish Democrats from Trump-era policies, and illegal immigrant rights groups warn that the cuts will harm public health systems and alienate the Democratic base. Importantly, the recent policy changes put the three Democratic governors in stark contrast to the more progressive and pro-open borders politics of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who has emerged as a leading national figure in the party.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
July 14, 2025
News
Politics

House Democrats Are Turning the Epstein Affair to Their Advantage.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Democratic lawmakers are pushing for the release of all Jeffrey Epstein-related files—despite failing to do so under Joe Biden—exploiting debate and division within the Republican Party following Attorney General Pam Bondi’s apparent mishandling of the pedophile financier’s case.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: House Democrats, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Democrats’ maneuvers have unfolded over the past week, with comments appearing on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter).

💬KEY QUOTE: “LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB – SHE’S GREAT! The 2020 Election was Rigged and Stolen, and they tried to do the same thing in 2024 – That’s what she is looking into as AG, and much more.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The Epstein issue has deepened divisions within the GOP and provided Democrats with a political opportunity to undermine the Trump administration.

IN FULL

Democratic lawmakers are ramping up calls for the release of all files related to Jeffrey Epstein—despite having little interest in the deceased pedophile financier’s case when Joe Biden was in office—and accusing the Trump administration of withholding information. Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX) announced plans to file a resolution demanding the release of the files, stating on X: “Either [President Donald J. Trump] and his acolytes fueled the rumors of the significance of these Epstein files to help his campaign, or something is there! Put up or Shut up!”

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) also took up the issue, writing, “Why are the Epstein files still hidden? Who are the rich & powerful being protected? On Tuesday, I’m introducing an amendment to force a vote demanding the FULL Epstein files be released to the public.” Meanwhile, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) stirred controversy by suggesting past allegations against Trump were complicating the matter.

Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), who is running for re-election, chimed in, “[Trump] promised to release the Epstein files. Did anyone really think the sexual predator president who used to party with Jeffrey Epstein was going to release the Epstein files?” Ossoff said during a campaign event, referring to E. Jean Carroll’s contested allegations against the America First leader.

Conservatives are divided over the issue, with some, like WarRoom host Stephen K. Bannon and investigative reporter Laura Loomer, accusing Attorney General Pam Bondi of mishandling the case, while others, including Trump, defend her. “LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB – SHE’S GREAT! The 2020 Election was Rigged and Stolen, and they tried to do the same thing in 2024 – That’s what she is looking into as AG, and much more,” he stated on his Truth Social platform.

Image by oscepa.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
July 8, 2025
Politics

OpenAI Boss Ditches Democrats Over Embrace of Socialism.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says he feels politically homeless, lamenting that the Democratic Party has abandoned its support of a “culture of innovation and entrepreneurship,” embracing a radical socialist ideology pushed by figures like Zohran Mamdani instead.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sam Altman, Zohran Mamdani, and the Democratic Party.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Altman leveled his criticism in a post on X (formerly Twitter) in July 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “So now I am politically homeless. But that’s fine; I care much, much more about being American than any political party.” — Sam Altman

🎯IMPACT: The OpenAI CEO joins a growing number of wealthy Democrat donors who are reconsidering their allegiance to the party in the face of the growing influence of radical figures like New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

IN FULL

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, says the Democratic Party no longer fosters a “culture of innovation and entrepreneurship,” leaving him feeling “politically homeless.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the artificial intelligence (AI) mogul explained that he was drawn to the party in his twenties during what he described as an embrace of “techno-capitalism” under Barack Obama.

“We should encourage people to make tons of money and then also find ways to widely distribute wealth and share the compounding magic of capitalism. One doesn’t work without the other; you cannot raise the floor and not also raise the ceiling for very long,” Altman wrote in the post, seemingly in response to New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani—a self-described socialist—who recently declared that billionaires should not exist.

The OpenAI CEO lamented that Democrats, at one time, seemed “reasonably aligned” with a “culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.” However, Altman said he now believes that the party “los[t] the plot when I was 30, and [has] completely… moved somewhere else at this point.”

“So now I am politically homeless. But that’s fine; I care much, much more about being American than any political party,” Altman. The billionaire added: “I’d rather hear from candidates about how they are going to make everyone have the stuff billionaires have instead of how they are going to eliminate billionaires.”

The mayoral candidacy of Mamdani, a foreign-born follower of Shia Islam’s extreme “Twelver” sect, has sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party, with a number of its wealthier donors considering backing incumbent Mayor Eric Adams‘s independent re-election bid.

Image by World Economic Forum / Benedikt von Loebell.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
June 25, 2025
Politics

Far-Left Immigrant Zohran Mamdani Has Won the Dems’ NYC Mayoral Primary.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Zohran Mamdani, a Uganda-born Democratic Socialist, defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and other Democratic leaders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The primary election took place in New York City on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Tonight, we made history. In the words of Nelson Mandela, it always seems impossible until it is done… I will be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City,” Mamdani said, before declaring that NYC will be a city “…where the mayor will use their power to reject Donald Trump’s fascism—to stop mass ICE agents from deporting our neighbors… .”

🎯IMPACT: Mamdani’s victory is seen as a tectonic shift in the Democratic Party, with younger and progressive voters gaining influence. The mayoral candidate was backed by a far-left political coalition led by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), herself rising quickly as the potential front-runner for the Democratic Party’s 2028 presidential nomination.

IN FULL

Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in a stunning upset during the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. Mamdani, a two-term Queens assemblyman originally from Uganda, secured 43 percent of the vote compared to Cuomo’s 36 percent, with 96 percent of precincts reporting. Cuomo conceded Tuesday evening, acknowledging Mamdani’s victory.

Notably, Mamdani was backed by a far-left political coalition led by progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who is widely seen as a potential front-runner for the 2028 Democratic Party presidential nomination. Along with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ocasio-Cortez helped to rally young Democrats to Mamadni—with the latter’s radical politics serving as a selling point over the more establishment views of former Governor Cuomo.

Basil Smikle, a former executive director of the New York State Democratic Party, remarked, “It’s an important moment in political history. Mamdani ran as an economic populist. It was a campaign about affordability.” His proposals, including free bus fares and higher taxes on the wealthy, resonated with blue-collar voters, despite criticism of their feasibility. Cuomo’s campaign, despite backing by $25 million from a super PAC and support from several unions, struggled to match Mamdani’s grassroots momentum.

“Tonight, we made history. In the words of Nelson Mandela, it always seems impossible until it is done… I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City,” Mamdani declared late Tuesday night. He continued: “We have won from Harlem to Bay Ridge… from Jackson Heights to Port Richmond… New Yorkers have stood up for a city they can afford—where those who toil in the night can enjoy the fruits of their labor in the day.”

“And it’s where the mayor will use their power to reject Donald Trump’s fascism—to stop mass ICE agents from deporting our neighbors, and to govern our city as a model for the Democratic Party, where we fight for working people with no apology,” Mamdani added.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
May 21, 2025
News

Senior Democrat Passes Away Following Cancer Battle.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) passed away at the age of 75 after battling esophageal cancer.

👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. Gerry Connolly, his family, and colleagues in Congress.

📍 Where & When: Connolly died at his home in Virginia on Wednesday morning, May 21, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we are proud that his life’s work will endure for future generations,” Connolly’s family said in a statement.

⚠️ Impact: Connolly’s death marks the loss of a long-serving Democrat who represented Virginia’s 11th district since 2009 and served as the Democratic ranking member on the House Oversight Committee until stepping down in April. His death also tilts the math for the passage of legislation in the House slightly more in favor of the slim Republican majority.

IN FULL:

Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) passed away at his home on Wednesday morning at the age of 75, his family confirmed in a statement. The Democratic representative had been battling esophageal cancer, a diagnosis he revealed shortly after the 2024 election.

Connolly’s family announced his death with a message shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, “His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we are proud that his life’s work will endure for future generations.”

The Democrat lawmaker had served Virginia’s 11th congressional district since 2009. A staunch ally of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Connolly defeated the progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for the ranking member position on the influential House Oversight Committee at the start of the current Congress in January. However, in April, he stepped down from the role after revealing that his cancer had returned.

In a letter to constituents earlier this year, Connolly reflected on his decades of public service, writing, “With no rancor and a full heart, I move into this final chapter full of pride in what we accomplished together over 30 years.” He also confirmed that this term would be his last in Congress.

Rep. Connolly was a noted foe of President Donald J. Trump and one of the more vocally partisan Democrats in the House of Representatives. During former President Joe Biden’s lawfare campaign against Trump, the Virginia Congressman pushed a proposal to rename a federal prison after Trump—a subtle reference to Democratic Party efforts to see the America First leader imprisoned.

Image by April Brady/Project on Middle East Democracy.

show less

PULSE POINTS:

show more
May 19, 2025
News
Politics

REPORT: AOC is No Longer Wearing Her Engagement Ring.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has not been seen wearing her engagement ring since November 2023, raising questions about her relationship with fiancé Riley Roberts.

👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Riley Roberts, her fiancé and web developer.

📍 Where & When: Public appearances and social media posts since December 2023; engagement announced in April 2022.

💬 Key Quote: Kendra Arnold of the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust said, “When a member is not legally married but in a long-term relationship similar to marriage, these concerns still apply even though there is no disclosure requirement.”

⚠️ Impact: The couple’s unmarried status allows Roberts to avoid financial disclosure rules, raising ethical questions as Ocasio-Cortez pushes for stock trading bans for lawmakers and spouses.

IN FULL:

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has not been seen wearing her engagement ring for over 17 months, sparking speculation regarding the status of her relationship with fiancé Riley Roberts, according to a review of public appearances, social media posts, and news images.

Roberts proposed to Ocasio-Cortez in April 2022 with a “zero emission” ring made of recycled gold, valued at $3,057.04. The congresswoman frequently displayed the ring in the months following the engagement. However, since November 2023, the ring has been absent from her left hand during numerous public events, including recent televised appearances, committee hearings, and a series of 2025 political rallies held with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as part of the Fighting Oligarchy Tour.

While the absence of the ring has raised questions, records show the couple continues to share a residence in Queens and they were seen together in March 2024. Ocasio-Cortez has also referred to Roberts as her “spouse” in House Ethics Committee filings, though her office clarified that they are not legally married.

The couple’s unmarried status has significant implications. As a long-term partner rather than a legal spouse, Roberts is not required to disclose his financial activities, including stock trades or employment details, as part of Ocasio-Cortez’s congressional financial disclosures. Critics, such as Kendra Arnold of the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, argue this loophole undermines transparency.

“When a member is not legally married but in a long-term relationship similar to marriage, these concerns still apply even though there is no disclosure requirement,” Arnold stated.

This situation is particularly noteworthy given Ocasio-Cortez’s legislative efforts to ban individual stock trading by members of Congress and their spouses. Her proposal would not apply to Roberts unless they marry, allowing him to continue trading stocks without restriction or transparency.

Other members of Congress, such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), have made millions on the stock market in recent years. Some investors and fund managers have even created their own financial products that mimic trades made by members of Congress using publicly available data, as lawmakers are required to disclose market transactions over $1,000.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

show less

PULSE POINTS:

show more