Self-proclaimed socialist Congresswoman-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) hasn’t even taken office yet… but she’s already been slapped with an ethics complaint.
The coming ethics investigation was sparked by comments Ocasio-Cortez made on social media, during a spat with Donald Trump Jr., eldest son of President Trump.
Trump Jr. posted a meme on Twitter that mocked Ocasio-Cortez.
In the meme, a photo of Ocasio-Cortez asked, “Why are you so afraid of a socialist economy?”
A photo of President Trump responded, “Because Americans want to walk their dogs, not eat them,” a presumed reference to Venezuela’s collapsing socialist economy, where people were forced to eat family pets as food shortages spiraled out of control.
Trump Jr. added the commentary: “It’s funny cuz it’s true!!!”
Ocasio-Cortez was not amused, responded: “I have noticed that Junior here has a habit of posting nonsense about me whenever the Mueller investigation heats up. Please, keep it coming Jr – it’s definitely a “very, very large brain” idea to troll a member of a body that will have subpoena power in a month. Have fun!”
I have noticed that Junior here has a habit of posting nonsense about me whenever the Mueller investigation heats up.
Please, keep it coming Jr – it’s definitely a “very, very large brain” idea to troll a member of a body that will have subpoena power in a month.
Have fun! https://t.co/oQ6MsdJYCk
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) December 7, 2018
Twitter users immediately pointed out that Ocasio-Cortez was, essentially, threatening to use the power of government to punish a private citizen for engaging in constitutionally-protected political speech.
In fact, the House Ethics Manual specifically prohibits it, reading: “Members…are not to take or withhold any official action on the basis of the campaign contributions or support of the involved individuals, or their partisan affiliation. Members and staff are likewise prohibited from threatening punitive action on the basis of such considerations.”
I thought we reached peak Left last year when CNN threatened to dox a Reddit user
Today a Congresswoman threatened to put Donald Trump Jr under federal investigation bc he posted a meme
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) December 7, 2018
After backlash, Ocasio-Cortez quickly rolled back her threats: “For the GOP crying that this is a ‘threat’ – I don’t have power to subpoena anybody. Congress as a body, GOP included, has the power. No indiv. member can issue a subpoena unless they are a Chair (which, as a freshman, I can assure you I will not be). Also must be under purview.