5 things to know about AOC’s Sunday interview

House 5 things to know about AOC’s Sunday interview Comments: by Ashleigh Fields - 08/09/26 4:02 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Ashleigh Fields - 08/09/26 4:02 PM ET Comments: Link copied

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) appeared on ABC’s “This Week” for her first Sunday show interview in a little over two and a half years to discuss the country’s political climate ahead of midterm elections.

The 36-year-old lawmaker reflected on a wide range of topics including a potential White House run, the future of her career in Congress and the rise in democratic socialists within the party’s base.

Ocasio-Cortez is seeking another term in the House after being first elected to her seat in 2019.

At the time, she became the youngest woman to serve in the legislature and the first woman of color to represent her district. Ocasio-Cortez is now known as a vocal progressive, often teaming up with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) as an advocate for socialist policies.

Here are the top 5 takeaways from her time in Congress discussed on ABC’s “This Week:”

Distance from Democratic Socialists of America

Despite residing in the far-left wing of the party, Ocasio-Cortez has begun to distance herself from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

The New York representative has walked back previous statements about defunding the police, a policy supported by the DSA, but hasn’t completely opposed the presence of democratic socialists within the party.

“I believe that democratic socialists are fundamentally pro-democracy. And we believe in the ballot box. We believe in respecting the outcomes of elections and governing democratically and ensuring that the ideas that — and policies that are implemented are won through popular vote and popular opinion,” Ocasio-Cortez said during her appearance on ABC’s “This Week.”

“And so, I think that’s why so much of what we focus on is also making sure that we are providing for the majority of Americans, guaranteeing health care, raising wages, strengthening the right to a union. And I think that that’s, at its core, what we’re about,” she added.

Ocasio-Cortez is not a member of the DSA’s national branch but maintains ties to her local chapter in the Big Apple.

In 2024, the national DSA withdrew its conditional re-endorsement of Ocasio-Cortez over policy differences regarding Israel. However, the local New York City chapter (NYC-DSA) kept its backing.

This year, she has support for re-election from both entities but hasn’t moved to broadly endorse all candidates under the DSA umbrella.

Political ascension

On Sunday, Ocasio-Cortez signaled that she could be looking to one day ascend to the upper chamber as critics seek to oust Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

When asked if she would ever challenge the leader, Ocasio-Cortez said, “I mean, I think that anything is possible at this juncture.”

She’s been looking to advance her political rank in recent years and in 2024 launched a bid to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. Ocasio-Cortez lost the caucus vote 131–84 to Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.).

Potential White House run

In February, Ocasio-Cortez joined global leaders at the Munich Security Conference where she shared insight into her approach to foreign policy measures.

Her attendance earned criticism from President Trump after she mistakenly referred to Venezuela’s location as “below the equator,” and hesitated to answer a question about whether the U.S. should commit troops to defending Taiwan if China invades.

However, Ocasio-Cortez’s presence at the conference sparked questions about a potential White House run in 2028.

“I haven’t ruled out the possibility,” Ocasio-Cortez said of a potential presidential bid, when asked about her future plans by host Jonathan Karl.

“And I’m very humbled to the tremendous amount of support out there. I think that we have a responsibility to remain focused on the midterms and not on our individual aspirations or plans,” she added.

For now, the New York representative said she was focused on “winning” midterm elections.

Fertility

Ocasio-Cortez recently decided to freeze her eggs and announced the decision in an Instagram story post. She talked about the move candidly on her Sunday appearance on ABC’s “This Week.”

“In this political environment where this administration is denying reproductive care to women across the country, from abortion rights to the ability to carry out a healthy pregnancy, I think it’s important for us as leaders to have these conversations and share these processes, especially for working women across the country and normalize them,” the New York lawmaker said.

AOC touts turnout from young voters

Ocasio-Cortez spoke to several shifts within the Democratic Party including an effort to grow its base among young voters.

She said diversity among new candidates has driven a response from a younger demographic that seeks a different type of lawmaker.

“I think that we are in a time of renewal for the Democratic Party. And it’s tremendously exciting for all of us, for the big tent of the Democratic Party,” Ocasio-Cortez said on Sunday.

“We have really an ascendance of a young, inspiring, exciting electorate, energizing wave of candidates that I think really inject a new energy to the Democratic Party and add to the toolbox of candidates that we have to win the midterm elections hopefully in November,” she added.

She noted that some voters find it endearing that political newcomers seem to “answer to no master” while gaining traction for their campaigns without traditional endorsements.

“I don’t think I was endorsed by a single elected official when I was running for office. And you know, I think when I see so many of these incredible insurgent candidates that are running today, that’s part of what makes me so proud of them is that they do not answer to any master. They are not beholden to any corporate interest or any party boss. And they are completely independent, which allows them to be responsive to their communities and the people that elected them,” Ocasio-Cortez said.

She continued, “And I think that in many ways that makes our movement stronger when you have to rely on your own organizing skills. And I think that it has proven to be quite successful. And I — I mean, I see so many of these candidates, and they remind me of that moment.”