Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently stated that she has not received a response from the Department of Justice regarding whether any inquiry has been opened related to her public outreach work.
In a recent encounter at the Capitol, independent journalist Nicholas Ballasy asked the congresswoman whether she had heard from the DOJ. “I asked them, they haven’t responded to me,” she replied. “But I’m fully using the First Amendment to inform people of their constitutional rights.”
Ocasio-Cortez emphasized that if any legal action were to be taken against a lawmaker without clear cause, it could signal a concerning shift in how legal norms are applied. “Whether it’s about immigration or anything else, the arrest of a lawmaker without actual grounds would represent a major change in how our democracy functions,” she said.
Her comments came after criticism surfaced regarding a webinar she organized earlier this year, where legal experts informed immigrant communities of their rights during interactions with law enforcement. The online event included legal disclaimers and resources like privacy release forms and access to pro bono legal services.
While some officials have questioned the implications of such events, Ocasio-Cortez maintains that her efforts are meant to educate and empower the public. She called any suggestion of wrongdoing “politically motivated” and said in a formal letter to the Department of Justice that the agency must remain impartial.
“No one should be targeted simply for educating others on their legal rights,” she wrote.
The situation underscores ongoing tensions over how far public servants can or should go in advocacy efforts, especially in sensitive legal areas. As of now, there has been no public confirmation of any investigation.
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