At a congressional hearing meant to address the impact of sanctuary city policies on crime and municipal resources, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) diverted her line of questioning away from pressing concerns about illegal immigration and public safety. Instead, she chose to interrogate New York City Mayor Eric Adams about his ongoing legal troubles.
Rather than engaging in a discussion about the rise in crime associated with illegal migrants—an issue central to the hearing—Ocasio-Cortez focused on allegations of bribery, campaign finance fraud, and conspiracy against Adams. The mayor, currently facing legal scrutiny, repeatedly declined to provide direct answers, citing respect for the judicial process. However, Ocasio-Cortez insisted that his refusal to respond directly was inappropriate.
A Contentious Exchange
The heated exchange began with Ocasio-Cortez asking Mayor Adams whether he was aware of a January 31st, 2025, meeting between his attorneys and federal prosecutors. Adams, maintaining a defensive stance, emphasized that the case was before a judge and that he would not discuss private attorney-client communications in a public forum.
“You said the only way you can’t answer a question is to plead the Fifth. I am answering your question,” Adams insisted.
Ocasio-Cortez pressed further, asking whether Adams’ attorneys had met with New York City officials and whether any discussion had taken place about a potential arrangement with the Trump administration in exchange for leniency in his case. Adams denied any such agreement or quid pro quo, repeatedly asserting that his legal team was handling the matter appropriately.
A Missed Opportunity While Crime Rages On
The mayor voluntarily attended the hearing, which was intended to address the growing strain of illegal immigration on major cities like New York. Yet, instead of focusing on solutions to crime, resource depletion, and overwhelmed city services, Ocasio-Cortez prioritized questioning Adams about his personal legal issues.
The shift in focus frustrated some members of the committee, who saw it as an attempt to distract from the main issue at hand. Congressman Timmons directly called out the misplaced priorities of some Democrats, stating that the only mayor who stood up to the Biden administration on the migrant crisis—Adams—was conveniently targeted with legal troubles shortly after.
Even more striking was the fact that Democrats on the committee completely missed the point of the hearing. Instead of addressing the concerns of everyday Americans, who are deeply worried about the crime and violence stemming from unchecked migration, some members took the opportunity to discuss Elon Musk—a topic that had absolutely nothing to do with the hearing’s purpose. When billions of tax dollars and public safety were at stake, their decision to fixate on a billionaire entrepreneur instead of the actual crisis at hand was both tone-deaf and an insult to taxpayers.
Mayor Adams’ Outspoken Warnings on the Migrant Crisis
It is no secret that Mayor Eric Adams has been one of the most outspoken Democratic leaders when it comes to the burden of illegal migration on New York City. Since the migrant crisis intensified, Adams has consistently warned about the crippling financial toll it has placed on the city’s budget and the severe strain on public safety.
The cost of housing and providing services for migrants has skyrocketed, forcing the city to cut funds from essential programs, including education, law enforcement, and healthcare. Adams repeatedly pleaded with the Biden administration for federal aid to manage the crisis, but his calls for help largely went unanswered. Left to shoulder the burden alone, his administration struggled to maintain order and protect public safety while resources were stretched thin.
Rather than recognizing the mayor’s challenges in handling a crisis of national proportions, Ocasio-Cortez chose to attack him during the hearing, further exposing divisions within the Democratic Party.
Congressman Timmons: “The Only Mayor Who Spoke Out Was Indicted”
During the hearing, Congressman Timmons of South Carolina addressed the elephant in the room—the political consequences of speaking out against Biden’s immigration policies. While other mayors, including Chicago’s Brandon Johnson and Boston’s Michelle Wu, avoided directly blaming the Biden administration for their migrant crises, Adams was the only mayor who openly criticized the president’s policies.
“Did you see what his administration did to political opponents? Did you see what they did to President Trump?” Congressman Timmons stated during the hearing. “I guess you’re standing up for your people—I admire that.”
He then made a striking observation:
“The only one of you that stood up to the previous administration was under investigation shortly thereafter. Weird how that happens.”
Timmons’ remarks underscored the perception that Adams was politically targeted for daring to challenge Biden’s handling of the border crisis while other Democratic mayors remained silent. His comments further fueled suspicions that Adams’ legal troubles were, at least in part, a form of political retaliation.
The Gang Problem Tied to Migrant Crime
While city leaders struggle to maintain order, violent gangs have taken advantage of the migrant crisis to expand their criminal enterprises in New York. Among the most notorious is Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang that has been linked to shootings, extortion, drug trafficking, and forced prostitution. Their presence has been traced to city migrant shelters, where they are believed to recruit new members.
Another violent group, Los Diablos de la 42, operates primarily in Times Square, where they have been involved in armed robberies and thefts. Reports indicate that they have targeted children in migrant shelters, coercing them into criminal activity.
Meanwhile, MS-13, already infamous for its brutal violence on Long Island, has been known to recruit recent immigrants, particularly vulnerable young men, into its ranks. The Latin Kings, another long-standing gang in New York, continue to exploit immigrant communities for new members while engaging in drug trafficking and violent crimes.
Despite mounting evidence of gang-related crime in New York, Ocasio-Cortez ignored this reality at the hearing, opting instead to engage in political theater rather than addressing the growing public safety crisis.
Democrats Eating Their Own
Ocasio-Cortez’s questioning of Adams exemplifies an ongoing trend within the Democratic Party—internal scrutiny that weakens their own leaders rather than focusing on broader policy issues. With crime, homelessness, and illegal migration placing unprecedented strain on major cities, many expected more productive discussions on how sanctuary city policies have contributed to the crisis.
Instead, the hearing showcased political infighting, with one of New York’s most high-profile progressive leaders choosing to target another Democrat rather than addressing urgent citywide concerns.
Adding to the political turmoil, Ocasio-Cortez was one of the first New York elected officials to publicly call for Mayor Adams’ resignation. Her push to remove him from office gained traction, even leading New York Governor Kathy Hochul to consider an unprecedented move to forcibly oust Adams. However, after significant pushback from Black elected officials and the broader Black community—who demanded that the people of New York City be the ones to decide Adams’ fate—Hochul ultimately backed down and rescinded her consideration.
Out of Touch With New Yorkers
Polling has consistently shown that New Yorkers are deeply concerned about the rise in crime linked to illegal migration. A recent Siena College poll revealed that 82 percent of New Yorkers view the recent influx of migrants as a serious problem, and nearly 80 percent support the deportation of undocumented migrants who have been convicted of a crime, including 69 percent of Democrats and 71 percent of Latinos. Despite this overwhelming sentiment, Ocasio-Cortez continues to defend policies that exacerbate the crisis, choosing to grandstand in political theater rather than address the safety and security concerns of her constituents.
Instead of using her platform to push for real solutions—such as ensuring law enforcement has the tools to combat migrant-related crime, securing the border, or aiding overwhelmed city services—Ocasio-Cortez is more focused on political showboating. She, along with other Democrats on the panel, completely missed the point that the American people care about crime and violence—not Elon Musk.
The political battle within the Democratic Party continues, but for many New Yorkers, the biggest question remains: When will their leaders prioritize real solutions over political grandstanding?
