The progressive Democrat feared that “QAnon and white supremacist sympathizers” in Congress could create opportunities that would put her in harm’s way.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has revealed that during the violent Jan. 6 mob attack on the US Capitol that claimed five lives, she had a disturbing “close encounter” that led her to fear she was “going to die.”
“I did not know if I was going to make it to the end of that day alive,” the New York Democrat said Tuesday in a video posted on her Instagram account. And although Ocasio-Cortez said she could not reveal specific details of the incident “due to security concerns,” she assured followers, “I thought I was going to die.”
RELATED: AOC Says Sen. Cruz Must Resign For His Actions In Fueling Capitol Hill Mob
“Wednesday was an extremely traumatizing event,” the congresswoman of Puerto Rican descent expressed, adding that it was not an exaggeration to say that “many members of the House were nearly assassinated.”
She Didn’t Feel Safe
The reason for her concerns, she went on to say, was that she did not feel safe around other members of Congress during the riot, as she feared that they might disclose her location.
In fact, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) said on Tuesday that the day before the riots she saw some of her congressional colleagues leading people through the Capitol in what she described as “a reconnaissance” for the siege.
For this reason, Ocasio-Cortez feared that “QAnon and white supremacist sympathizers” in Congress could “create opportunities to allow me to be hurt, kidnapped, etc.”
These revelations come as House Democrats vote Wednesday to impeach President Donald Trump for inciting the mob that stormed the Capitol as lawmakers congregated to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over Trump. This would be the second impeachment in 13 months.
“You Do Not Belong in the US Senate”
Ocasio-Cortez went on to strongly condemn Trump and those who enabled him in Congress for their roles in inciting Wednesday’s deadly assault, singling out Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who led the push to object to the certification.
RELATED: Arizona Rep. Rubén Gallego: Prosecute Military and Veterans Involved in Capitol Attack
“You do not belong in the United States Senate. You do not belong in any democratically elected seat when you do not believe that that election was even legitimate,” she said, calling on them to resign along with the other 145 Republicans in the House and Senate who, even after the assault, voted to overturn the presidential election results.
“They would rather cling to power than respect our democracy,” Ocasio-Cortez concluded.
Stay safe, Puerto Rico: The governor issues a state of emergency due to heavy rains, flooding
The executive order also authorizes the activation of the National Guard to assist in relief efforts. The Guard will be tasked with providing...
Jennifer López and Bad Bunny steal the spotlight at Met Gala 2024
The artists were co-chairs of the event, alongside Zendaya and Chris Hemsworth. Rauw Alejandro also attended. Puerto Rican artists Jennifer López...
‘Document everything’: Your 10-step guide to insurance claims after Hurricane Milton
Before Milton's arrival, experts had warned that it could cause billions in losses, further damaging the state's already troubled insurance market....
Hurricane Milton plows across Florida, pounding cities and whipping up tornadoes. At least 4 dead.
The Category 3 storm knocked out power to more than 3 million customers and whipped up a barrage of tornadoes, causing at least four deaths and...