Fact Check: Did AOC leak classified ICE plans to Antifa leaders in Minneapolis?
MINNESOTA, MINNEAPOLIS: Amid the tensions surrounding the clashes between protestors and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, a rumor began circulating on social media platforms claiming that Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez leaked classified ICE plans to Antifa leaders, sparking speculations.
Let us analyse and fact-check the claim.
Claim: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez leaked classified ICE plans to Antifa leaders
According to the viral claim, evidence shows that Ocasio-Cortez was heavily involved in the Antifa operation that almost ended with ICE officers being run over.
The post that surfaced on Facebook was accompanied by a photo of the New York Congresswoman along with an overlay text stating, “AOC LEAKED CLASSIFIED ICE PLANS TO ANTIFA LEADERS IN MINNEAPOLIS.”
The claim has also spread on X and Instagram, garnering hundreds of thousands of views, with the comments under the posts being critical of AOC, indicating that many believe it to be true, while a few others remained skeptical.
Fact Check: The claim originated as a satire
The claim, however, is false, as no evidence suggests Ocasio-Cortez leaked classified ICE plans to Antifa leaders. If the claim were true, it would have triggered nationwide outrage and debates, with prominent news media outlets covering it widely.
A search on Google for the claim yielded no such reports by credible news media outlets. Also, Antifa is not a registered organisation with active membership, hence the claim of ‘Antifa leaders’ is misleading.
Moreover, the claim was posted by a popular parody account on Facebook called America’s Last Line of Defense, which describes itself in the bio as ‘Nothing on this page is real.'
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slams ICE after Minneapolis shooting
Ocasio-Cortez was known for her active criticism against the activities of ICE, especially following the aggressive immigration crackdown in the state of Minneapolis, leading to the death of two Americans this January.
Earlier this year, she urged Senate Democrats to block the agency’s funding after a fatal shooting in Minneapolis sparked renewed protests.
“Americans are being killed in the street by their government. Our Constitution is being shredded, and our rights are dissolving. Resist. Senate Dems should block ICE funding this week. Activate the National Guard,” she wrote.
The congresswoman called the agency an “anti-civilian paramilitary” and described a recent agent-involved shooting as “murder,” as federal officials dispute her claims as the investigations continue.
