Ocasio-Cortez expresses security concerns after Greene reportedly asks why she supports ‘terrorists’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-N.Y.) office is calling on top lawmakers to ensure that Congress remains “a safe, civil place” for members and staff after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) reportedly accosted her on Wednesday and accused her of supporting “terrorists.”

The incident was witnessed by two Washington Post reporters, according to the newspaper, which reported that Ocasio-Cortez exited the House chamber before Greene shouted “Hey Alexandria” multiple times to get her attention.

Ocasio-Cortez did not stop to address Greene, and the Georgia lawmaker continued shouting while asking her why she supports antifa and Black Lives Matter, claiming they are “terrorist” groups, according to the Post.

Greene also reportedly accused the New York lawmaker of not defending her “radical socialist” beliefs by not publicly debating her after the Republican challenged her on social media last month.

“You don’t care about the American people,” Greene shouted, according to the Post. “Why do you support terrorists and antifa?”

The Georgia lawmaker reportedly told reporters after Ocasio-Cortez left that the Democrat is a “chicken” who “doesn’t want to debate the Green New Deal.”

“These members are cowards,” Green added. “They need to defend their legislation to the people. That’s pathetic.” 

Ocasio-Cortez spokesperson Lauren Hitt told the Post that Greene “tried to begin an argument with Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez and when Rep. Ocasio-Cortez tried to walk away, Congresswoman Greene began screaming and called Rep. Ocasio-Cortez a terrorist sympathizer.”

The Democratic lawmaker’s office said in a statement to The Hill that “We hope (the Sergeant at Arms) and House leadership will take real steps to make Congress a safe, civil workplace for both Members and staff.” 

Greene’s office referred The Hill to a tweet Greene shared on Thursday criticizing Ocasio-Cortez and accusing her of calling “the police for security bc she’s afraid of debating with me about her socialist [Green New Deal].” 

Greene added in a subsequent tweet that any member of Congress “supporting terrorists Hamas” or “criminals in Antifa/BLM riots in American cities” should be expelled. 

And any US Member of Congress supporting terrorists Hamas should be expelled.

Any member supporting and fundraising for criminals in Antifa/BLM riots in American cities should be expelled.

That’s the #JihadSquad and the VP.

— Marjorie Taylor Greene (@mtgreenee) May 13, 2021

Greene on social media challenged Ocasio-Cortez earlier this year to debate the progressive lawmaker’s signature legislation, known as the Green New Deal. The Georgia lawmaker later approached Ocasio-Cortez on the House floor and tweeted a photo of the encounter. 

“I’m glad I ran into you today @AOC to plan our debate about the Green New Deal,” she wrote in the post.

I’m glad I ran into you today @AOC to plan our debate about the Green New Deal.

After I finish reading all 14 pages, like we agreed, I’ll schedule time for our debate.#MTGvsAOC pic.twitter.com/viuH5Uj0oD

— Marjorie Taylor Greene (@mtgreenee) April 21, 2021

Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) announced earlier this year that she was moving her House office away from Greene’s due to safety concerns. The progressive lawmaker accused Greene and her staff of berating her in a hallway, adding that the Georgia Republican targeted her on social media. 

“A maskless Marjorie Taylor Greene & her staff berated me in a hallway. She targeted me & others on social media,” Bush tweeted at the time. “I’m moving my office away from hers for my team’s safety.”

–Updated at 7:52 p.m.