AOC Says Trump Administration ‘Spits On The American Flag’ Due To These Scary Reasons

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York strongly criticized former President Donald Trump and his administration in a passionate Instagram livestream. She accused them of acting in ways that go against the core values of the United States. She said they were being “anti-American” and were putting their own power and loyalty to one man — Trump — above the needs and principles of the country.

This came after an incident at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Newark, New Jersey, where Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested after trying to enter the facility with several Democratic lawmakers. .They said they were there to carry out their oversight duties, which means checking on government actions to make sure they follow the law and respect people’s rights. The Department of Homeland Security, however, accused Baraka and the lawmakers of trespassing and even assaulting ICE agents — claims the lawmakers strongly denied. Instead, they said ICE agents were the ones who acted aggressively.

Ocasio-Cortez responded by warning that if any harm came to the lawmakers, there would be serious consequences. She also accused Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem of disrespecting American values. She said that every time they stop members of Congress from doing their job, they are insulting the American flag and what it stands for — not protecting the country, but rather protecting a single leader. That, she said, is not what America is supposed to be about.

Trump has long used the slogan “America First” in his campaigns, but Ocasio-Cortez argued that his actions show the opposite — that he and his team are actually harming the country by attacking free speech, ignoring the Constitution, and preventing lawmakers from doing their jobs.

Legal and political experts backed up Ocasio-Cortez’s concerns. Paul Gowder, a law professor at Northwestern University, said that free speech is one of the most basic and essential parts of any democracy. He explained that the government is not allowed to treat people differently based on their opinions. But Trump’s administration, he said, has been doing exactly that — punishing people, especially those who speak out against Israel or take part in pro-Palestinian protests, by revoking student visas or threatening deportation. That kind of action, he said, goes directly against what the First Amendment guarantees.

Alison Gash, a political science professor at the University of Oregon, pointed out another serious issue: that the Trump administration has been tying government funding to limits on what schools can say or teach. In other words, if schools want to keep their funding, they have to avoid talking about certain topics or using specific words. She said this is like forcing schools to pass loyalty tests and is another way the government is trying to control speech, which is very dangerous for democracy.

Both professors stressed how important free speech is for a country like the United States. It allows people to debate, criticize leaders, and make informed decisions — things that are necessary for a healthy democracy.

Following the incident at the Newark detention center, other members of Congress also stepped in. They sent a letter to top officials, saying that lawmakers have the legal right to inspect ICE facilities without giving advance notice. This is confirmed by federal law. Experts explained that Congress has a duty to oversee government agencies and ensure laws are being followed. The idea that lawmakers might be arrested for doing their jobs is deeply troubling, they said. It sends the message that the executive branch — the President and his administration — may be overstepping its power.

Professor Gowder added that while no one, including lawmakers, is above the law, they were clearly in a place they had legal permission to be, doing work they’re supposed to do. If there’s no clear evidence of wrongdoing, they should be trusted over officials who might be trying to hide misconduct.

Finally, Gowder reflected on the meaning of the slogan “America First.” He said it depends on what people think “America” means. Is it just about our history, including mistakes and injustices? Or is it about the ideals we strive for — freedom, equality, and democracy? Ocasio-Cortez, he believes, was arguing that Trump’s behavior betrays those ideals. By turning against free speech, congressional oversight, and the Constitution, the former president isn’t putting America first — he’s putting it last.