Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has intensified her feud with Ted Cruz, refusing to apologise to the Republican Senator for accusing him of trying to have her killed during the Capitol Riots.
Asked by a reporter at a New York event on Monday if she would apologise for saying he almost had her “murdered”, Ms Ocasio-Cortez said "That’s not the quote and I will not apologise for what I said," in a video captured byThe New York Post.
Before Ms Ocasio-Cortez could complete her response the interview was cut off by a companion saying, "I think we're actually done this morning".
The Independent has reached out to Ms Ocasio-Cortez's office for comment.
House Republicans have called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to make Ms Ocasio-Cortez apologise and retract the comments accusing Mr Cruz of “attempted murder”.
"It is completely unacceptable behaviour for a member of Congress to make this kind of scurrilous charge against another member in the House or Senate for simply engaging in speech and debate regarding electors as they interpreted the Constitution,” Texas Republican Chip Roy wrote in a letter to Ms Pelosi.
Ms Ocasio-Cortez's comment was made in response to a quote tweet from Mr Cruz saying he "fully agreed" with the Democratic Congresswoman's criticism of the Robinhood app suspending trading at the height of the GameStop frenzy just over a week ago.
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington newsletter {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} The Independent would like to keep you informed about offers, events and updates by email, please tick the box if you would like to be contacted
Read our full mailing list consent terms here Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington newsletter {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} The Independent would like to keep you informed about offers, events and updates by email, please tick the box if you would like to be contacted
Read our full mailing list consent terms here
"I am happy to work with Republicans on this issue where there’s common ground, but you almost had me murdered 3 weeks ago so you can sit this one out," Ms Ocasio-Cortez began.
"Happy to work w/ almost any other GOP that aren’t trying to get me killed. In the meantime if you want to help, you can resign."
In the Twitter thread, Ms Ocasio-Cortez said Mr Cruz "had a role" in the attacks that lead to five people, including a Capitol police officer, losing their lives.
"This isn’t a joke. We need accountability, and that includes a new Senator from Texas," she said.
RadleyCunningham on February 13rd, 2021 at 20:33 UTC »
I love that a guy who doesn't have the balls to defend his wife against insults from Trump somehow finds the audacity to pull this shit.
Fuck Cruz. Absolulte coward and pathetic excuse for a man/human being.
AuthenTosh on February 13rd, 2021 at 20:28 UTC »
Why the fuck should she apologize?
Asking her to apologize is exactly the same as asking the abused to cover up their abuse.
We need more people calling out Cruz et al, not less.
Pointels21 on February 13rd, 2021 at 20:24 UTC »
She shouldn’t