Ocasio-Cortez Calls Red States Oppressed, Praises NYC Services Amid Deficit and Crime Surge

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., drew backlash Thursday after claiming that red states which supported President Donald Trump are oppressed and neglected. She held up New York City as a model of public service, even as the city deals with a massive budget deficit and rising violent crime on its transit system.

On the podcast "It's Open with Ilana Glazer," the progressive congresswoman said she feels sorry for MAGA voters. She suggested their views stem from state-level oppression rather than real conviction.

"I don't care if you're a red state or voted for Trump," Ocasio-Cortez said. "A lot of these red states, they're not red. They're oppressed. I've driven across the country many times and I'll drive through really rural areas and I see the level of neglect and I'm like, yeah, I'd be pissed off at paying taxes, too."

Ocasio-Cortez contrasted those states with New York City. She praised the city's high tax rate as worth it to fund public transportation, amazing teachers, and sanitation services.

"When it snows out, I get to look out my window and I get to see well-paid sanitation workers clearing that stuff out in a minute," she said. "I get to walk out of my house and take the subway, which is publicly funded, and I say, ‘Yeah, this is worth it.’"

Her comments come as New York City faces tough challenges under Mayor Zohran Mamdani, sworn in this past January. The city has a $5.4 billion budget gap. Mamdani has indicated higher taxes on the 1% and possible service cuts to fix the finances.

Sanitation services drew fire earlier this year. A massive winter storm left garbage and snow on streets for over a week, prompting charges of incompetence against the Mamdani administration.

Subway safety remains a major issue. In March, 83-year-old Air Force veteran Richard Williams died after someone shoved him onto tracks at an Upper East Side station.

Police indicted 34-year-old Honduran national Bairon Hernandez on murder charges. He entered the country illegally and had 15 prior charges, including aggravated assault and weapon possession. The case has raised questions about the city's sanctuary policies and transit police under the new mayor.