Charlamagne blasts AOC for ‘beating around the bush,’ presses progressives on backing Hakeem Jeffries

Radio host Charlamagne tha God criticised Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for explaining how House leadership contests work without directly saying whether she opposes Hakeem Jeffries becoming Speaker. He argued that progressives should state plainly whether they want Jeffries challenged, and questioned how lawmakers critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza could support leaders who back military assistance to Israel.

The article describes a divided response among Democrats as Jeffries seeks the speakership: incoming representative Adam Hamawy said his support was undecided, while Wesley Bell declared firm backing. Ocasio-Cortez had urged people to ask who was running and whom their representatives supported, noting the contests were uncontested. Jeffries said dramatic change to how assistance is provided was necessary; the article reports that Ocasio-Cortez’s office, along with Jeffries’ and Chuck Schumer’s, had not immediately responded to a request for comment.