Podcaster Joe Rogan has criticized New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's recent shift in rhetoric regarding progressive policies, particularly her comments on 'defund the police.' Rogan expressed skepticism on his show, "The Joe Rogan Experience," about Ocasio-Cortez's attempts to distance herself from past positions, suggesting her opinions might be influenced by public reaction amid speculation about a potential presidential run.
Rogan specifically pointed to an interview Ocasio-Cortez gave to ABC News on August 9, where she discussed Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong. Ocasio-Cortez indicated it was her understanding that Hong had moved away from far-left stances, and Rogan argued that Ocasio-Cortez herself glossed over her past support for similar policies. He questioned how she arrived at such positions and then dismissed them, referencing her remark that 'Woke 1 was crazy.'
"If you really thought 'defund the police,' and then you just [ascribed] it to 'Woke 1 was crazy,' well how did it get you? Because it didn’t get me. How did it get you?" Rogan asked. He urged the congresswoman to provide a more thorough explanation for her perceived change of heart, especially concerning the consequences of defunding the police.
Rogan suggested that for politicians to be taken seriously, they must be honest about past mistakes and express genuine embarrassment about choices made under perceived societal pressure. "If you want us to take you seriously, you have to say how you fed up. You have to say how you fed up, and you have to say what you really think about how you f***ed up," he stated.
Ocasio-Cortez, in her ABC News interview, had linked her past statements on crime and policing to the panic and desperation of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns. She suggested that discussions about crime today are fundamentally different from those held during that period. She also stated that "anything is possible at this juncture" when asked about a potential presidential run.
Past Positions
Historically, Ocasio-Cortez has voiced strong support for police reform and decarceration. In 2020, she criticized a New York City proposal to cut the police budget, arguing it was insufficient and that the fight to 'defund policing' should continue. The previous year, she expressed a need for a conversation about decarceration and prison abolition. She has also stated that marginalized groups 'have no choice but to riot' and that the carceral system is designed to trap Black and brown men.
Additionally, Ocasio-Cortez has supported immigration policies aimed at decriminalizing border crossings, sponsoring unsuccessful bills in 2021 and 2023. In 2019, she indicated she would consider dismantling the Department of Homeland Security, which includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The term 'Woke 1' has become a popular reference to the period around 2020, marked by movements like #MeToo and protests following the killing of George Floyd, which led to increased calls for police reform and support for Black Lives Matter.