Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez Rally Against Trump and Urge Democrats to Fight Harder
TEMPE, Ariz. – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, prominent figures on the left wing of the Democratic Party, have embarked on a three-day tour through key western states, using the platform to relentlessly criticize President Donald Trump and his billionaire allies, particularly Elon Musk. The tour, strategically planned across electorally significant states, underscores the growing tension within the Democratic Party as it struggles to effectively counter the Trump administration’s policies.
While their focus largely centered on Trump and his policies, both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez also directed criticism towards their own party. Ocasio-Cortez, a leading voice among the progressive "Squad" in the House of Representatives, urged the Democratic Party to demonstrate greater courage in confronting Republicans, advocating for a more assertive and combative approach.
Trump, since his return to the White House, has been aggressively pursuing his agenda, utilizing executive orders to expand presidential powers, dismantle established government policies, and implement significant cuts to the federal workforce. The timing of Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez’s rallies coincided with Trump’s signing of an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education, a long-held conservative objective.
Addressing a crowd in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez launched a scathing attack on Trump’s policies and their perceived impact on ordinary Americans. Ocasio-Cortez accused Trump and his Republican allies of systematically deceiving and exploiting working and middle-class families, alleging that they are "stealing our health care, social security, and veterans benefits in order to pay for their tax cuts for the billionaires and bailouts for their crypto friends."
Sanders echoed these sentiments, asserting that Trump is attempting to consolidate power by diminishing the authority of both Congress and the judiciary. "Every day Trump is trying to take power away from Congress. He is trying to take power away from the judiciary," Sanders declared. "We have a message for Mr. Trump and that is, we will not allow you to move this country into an oligarchy. We’re not going to allow you and your friend Mr. Musk and the other billionaires to wreak havoc on this country."
The core message of Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez’s tour revolved around the perceived failure of the Democratic Party to effectively challenge the Republican agenda. With the Republicans controlling the White House, the House, and the Senate, Democrats face an uphill battle in opposing Trump’s policies. This situation has fueled internal dissent within the party, with growing calls for stronger leadership and a more robust strategy to resist Trump’s initiatives.
"This isn’t just about Republicans," Ocasio-Cortez emphasized to the audience in Arizona. "We need a Democratic Party that fights harder for us. That means each and every one of us choosing and voting for Democrats and elected officials who know how to stand for the working class…I want you to look at every level of office around and support Democrats who fight, because those are the ones who can actually win against Republicans."
The rallies organized by Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have attracted significant crowds, indicating a strong desire among their supporters for a more assertive Democratic Party. In Tempe, Arizona, the fire marshal estimated that 11,300 people packed the Mullett Arena at Arizona State University, with thousands more gathered in an overflow area outside the venue.
Sanders has branded the tour as "Fighting Oligarchy," reflecting his core message of challenging the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few. The tour continued in Denver and Greeley, Colorado, before concluding with a rally in Tucson, Arizona.
The tour comes against the backdrop of growing criticism directed at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, for his recent support of a Republican-crafted federal funding bill that averted a government shutdown. Schumer’s decision has been met with disapproval from within his own party, with some accusing him of being too willing to compromise with Republicans.
While neither Ocasio-Cortez nor Sanders explicitly mentioned Schumer during their speeches in Las Vegas or Tempe, the controversy surrounding his leadership was evident among attendees. Sanders, an independent who consistently aligns with the Democrats and holds a leadership position within Schumer’s Senate team, declined to comment on calls for Schumer’s resignation. "That’s kind of inside the Beltway stuff," Sanders stated.
However, the issue remained prominent in the minds of those attending the rallies. In Las Vegas, chants of "primary Chuck" were directed at Ocasio-Cortez. In Tempe, several attendees expressed their disappointment with Schumer’s actions. Amanda Ratloff of Gilbert, Arizona, stated that Schumer "is not the leader we need right now. We need somebody that will actually fight back and fight for the American people and not just give in to Elon Musk and Donald Trump."
Sanders, in his speech, pledged to continue the fight against Trump and his allies. "We are going to fight Trump and his oligarchy friends," he affirmed. "From the bottom of my heart I am convinced that they can be defeated." His tour, coupled with Ocasio-Cortez’s forceful rhetoric, highlights a growing divide within the Democratic Party regarding the most effective strategy to challenge the Trump administration and advocate for progressive policies. The tour emphasizes the need for a more assertive and uncompromising approach in the face of perceived Republican overreach and the growing influence of wealth in politics.
