AOC's 2028 WH bid hits a Maoist wall as DSA faction brands her an 'opportunist'

WASHINGTON, DC: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's growing speculation as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender has triggered an unusual backlash from within the socialist movement, with a Maoist faction of the Democratic Socialists of America rejecting her as a potential standard-bearer. 

The DSA Liberation Caucus, which describes itself as a Marxist-Leninist-Maoist caucus, accused Ocasio-Cortez of retreating from socialist politics and called her an “opportunist dilettante” over her positions on policing and Israel.

The group said it would oppose any effort to present the New York Democrat as the future presidential candidate of the DSA or the broader socialist movement.

Socialist faction targets AOC's record

The caucus criticized Ocasio-Cortez over her recent comments about the 2020 movement to defund the police.

In an ABC interview, she described what the statement called the “Woke 1” era for progressives as “crazyyyyy” and discussed her earlier positions on policing.

The faction argued that Ocasio-Cortez had distanced herself from the abolitionist language associated with her first congressional campaign.

“Ironically, her first electoral victory came in the heat of ‘Woke 1’, where she trafficked in the language of abolition,” the group said, accusing her of abandoning those positions after they were no longer politically useful.

The caucus also criticized her position on Israel. It pointed to her vote supporting a statement that affirmed Israel’s right to defensive systems and her participation in a public panel involving the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. 

2028 speculation fuels leftwing split

The attack comes as Ocasio-Cortez faces growing speculation about a possible 2028 presidential campaign, although she has not announced a bid.

The DSA Liberation Caucus said those discussions should be met with a clear rejection from the socialist left.

The group said it would not support a campaign placing a “social democrat” at the head of the US government, arguing that such a candidate would make further compromises with what it calls imperialist interests.

The national DSA does not endorse Ocasio-Cortez, while the New York City chapter has repeatedly supported her campaigns.

The Liberation Caucus also claimed the NYC chapter has considered breaking away over disagreements, including its support for Ocasio-Cortez.

The internal dispute comes after the national DSA introduced a program called “Workers Deserve More,” which calls for eliminating the Senate, presidency, and Supreme Court, and requires candidates seeking formal DSA endorsement to accept and promote the program.

The caucus has also already made its position clear: it does not want AOC to become the socialist movement’s presidential standard-bearer.