Queens’ AOC speaks at DNC, criticizes Trump

Queens Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spoke during the first day of Democratic National Convention on Monday in Chicago. AP photo by Jacquelyn Martin 

By Ryan Schwach

Queens Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made an energetic speech during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday night in Chicago.

During her speech, AOC expressed her strong support for nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and criticized Harris’ opponent, former Queens resident Donald Trump.

The progressive congressional representative who lives in Queens and represents parts of Western Queens and the Bronx, began by reintroducing herself to the party, recalling her path from bartender to unlikely primary election night victor in 2018.

“I was taking omelet orders as a waitress in New York City, I didn't have health insurance, my family was fighting off foreclosure and we were struggling with bills after my dad passed away unexpectedly from cancer,” she said at the DNC. “Like millions of Americans, we were just looking for an honest shake, and we were tired of a cynical politics that seemed blind to the realities of working people.”

“We have a chance to elect a president who is for the middle class because she is from the middle class,” she said of Harris. “She understands the urgency of rent checks and groceries and prescriptions…In Kamala Harris, I see a leader who understands I see a leader with a real commitment to a better future for working families.”

And as she praised Harris, Ocasio-Cortez also slammed Trump, who will be facing Harris in the November election.

“Donald Trump would sell this country for a dollar if it meant lining his own pockets and greasing the palms of his Wall Street friends,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “You cannot love this country if you only fight for the wealthy and big business.”

She also called the former president a “two-bit union buster.”

AOC’s spot as a featured speaker at the Democratic National Convention appeared to show a shift for the legislator, who was once positioned as an outsider in the party as a Democratic Socialist with more left-leaning stances than the party brass.

Ocasio-Cortez defeated longtime Democratic Party mainstay Joe Crowley to obtain her seat in 2018. Crowley was the chair of the House Democratic Caucus at the time of losing his re-election. He also was the leader of Queens’ local Democratic Party, which is now led by Ocasio-Cortez’ colleague, Rep. Greogory Meeks.

AOC won’t be the only member of Queens’ House delegation speaking at the DNC this week.

Queens Representatives Grace Meng and Tom Suozzi are scheduled to speak later in the week.