Tensions Rise in Democratic Ranks: Rep. Jasmine Crockett Accuses AOC and Bernie Sanders of Running a “Personal” Anti-Oligarchy Tour
A fresh wave of internal strife is sweeping through the Democratic Party as Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett publicly criticized the high-profile “Fighting Oligarchy” tour led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). Her remarks, first reported by The Atlantic and later amplified by the New York Post, have sparked a new debate over the direction and motives behind the party’s progressive movement.
In a private meeting held in May with fellow Democrat Rep. Maxine Dexter of Oregon, Crockett allegedly raised concerns about the tour, suggesting it was less about uniting the party around working-class issues — and more about elevating the political profiles of its two most famous progressive leaders.
“It’s a great idea,” Crockett said, according to The Atlantic’s reporting. “But in the end, it gives people the impression: ‘Oh, this is about them — not about the team.’”
A Tour for the People — Or for the Spotlight?
The “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, which launched earlier this year, has made stops across the country promoting economic justice, wealth taxation, and corporate accountability. It was billed as a grassroots effort to re-energize the Democratic base ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. But Crockett’s remarks raise the question: who truly benefits?
In the first quarter of 2025 alone, Ocasio-Cortez raised a staggering $9.6 million in campaign contributions — doubling her previous personal record set in 2020. Senator Bernie Sanders also reportedly brought in $11.5 million during the same period. While those numbers reflect strong support among progressive voters, they also amplify the perception that the tour is closely tied to the individual political fortunes of its leaders.
Supporters argue that these funds are evidence of a movement gaining momentum. Critics — including, now, Crockett — see something more self-serving.
Crockett’s Rising Influence — and Reputation
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who represents a diverse and politically active district in Texas, has been gaining attention not just for her progressive credentials, but for her bold and sometimes controversial style. At the time of the May meeting, she was campaigning to become the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee — a position of major influence in holding the Republican-controlled House accountable.
“I’m not trying to break the party,” she reportedly told Dexter. “I just want to be seen as someone who’s acting for the group.”
Yet Crockett’s approach has not gone unnoticed — or uncriticized — within Democratic circles. Several lawmakers have privately expressed concerns about her temperament and unpredictability. One senior aide, speaking anonymously, said: “She likes to talk. Is she a ticking time bomb? Possibly. And that definitely gives some of the other members headaches.”
According to The Atlantic, one revealing detail stood out: the lock screen image on Crockett’s phone is a portrait of herself. While supporters might read this as a sign of self-confidence and personal pride, detractors see it as another example of her provocative, attention-grabbing style.
AOC and Bernie: No Response Yet
So far, neither Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez nor Bernie Sanders has responded publicly to Crockett’s remarks or the surrounding controversy. Both politicians have long faced criticism — often from more moderate Democrats — for their outspokenness and independent branding within the party. However, they remain immensely popular with younger and more progressive voters.
For AOC, the backlash may be familiar territory. Since entering Congress in 2019, she has frequently been the subject of both media fascination and political firestorms. Sanders, the two-time presidential candidate and longtime progressive icon, has likewise endured waves of criticism — from both the left and the right — throughout his career.
Still, Crockett’s remarks mark a rare moment of direct confrontation from within the party’s own progressive wing.
Cracks in the Progressive Coalition?
The growing influence of progressive Democrats has reshaped the party’s identity in recent years. But that rise has also brought increased scrutiny — and internal friction. Crockett’s comments are the latest sign of a broader tension between high-profile “movement” politicians and those who worry that such movements risk becoming personality cults.
Political analyst Mariana Lewis says the dust-up could foreshadow deeper divisions ahead:
“There’s always been a question in the Democratic Party: can it be the party of both Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden? What’s new here is the intra-progressive friction. Crockett is challenging not the message — but the messengers.”
Indeed, Crockett was careful to say she maintains a “positive relationship” with Ocasio-Cortez, even as she called into question the framing of the tour. This suggests her critique is strategic, not personal — an attempt to reposition herself as a new kind of leader: progressive, but team-oriented.
What Comes Next?
With the 2026 elections on the horizon and internal power dynamics shifting, the Democratic Party faces a critical period of self-definition. Will it embrace the media-savvy activism of figures like AOC and Sanders — or shift toward a more disciplined, team-first image that Crockett appears to be advocating?
For now, the public feud remains unresolved. And with neither AOC nor Sanders commenting, speculation continues to swirl.
But one thing is clear: the battle for the soul — and strategy — of the Democratic Party is far from over.
