Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) sparred with Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) over her recent comment claiming that RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) was in itself “not a crime.”
Ocasio-Cortez made the initial statement during a Wednesday hearing before the House Oversight Committee regarding the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. She was attempting to argue the witness — former Hunter Biden business partner Tony Bobulinski — into a corner by challenging him to name what specific crimes under the RICO umbrella he believed had been committed.
Frustrated by his unwillingness to simply concede her point, Ocasio-Cortez insisted that RICO was a “CAT-E-GOR-Y” of crimes rather than a specific crime.
WATCH:
AOC – "RICO is not a crime." pic.twitter.com/YcTusJAaP4
— MAZE (@mazemoore) March 20, 2024
And while some responded on X to say that Ocasio-Cortez was correct in her assessment, Cruz was not one of them.
“This is bizarre. RICO — the Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961–1968—is most assuredly a crime. It often results in massive felony sentences. And yet @aoc — eager to defend Joe Biden — insists it’s not a crime,” Cruz posted.
This is bizarre. RICO—the Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961–1968—is most assuredly a crime.
It often results in massive felony sentences. And yet @aoc—eager to defend Joe Biden—insists it’s not a crime. https://t.co/5hxw4Jk4lv
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 21, 2024
Ocasio-Cortez doubled down, however, lashing out at Cruz directly.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP
“Wrong! RICO is a statute under which specific crimes may be considered — kidnapping, robbery, arson, etc. You need to name the crimes in order to substantiate RICO. So … since you’re the expert, what RICO crimes and evidence does House GOP have? Since they don’t seem to know,” she said.
Wrong!
RICO is a statute under which specific crimes may be considered – kidnapping, robbery, arson, etc.
You need to name the crimes in order to substantiate RICO.
So… since you’re the expert, what RICO crimes and evidence does House GOP have? Since they don’t seem to know. https://t.co/FYVdK6Y2OO
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 21, 2024
Fox Business host David Asman shared a comment from the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s former Chief of the Financial Fraud Unit Sol Wisenberg, who said of Ocasio-Cortez’s outburst, “If you’re going to bully a witness, at least you shouldn’t embarrass yourself by getting the law wrong.”
Sol Wisenberg, who as frmr Chief of the Financial Fraud Unit in a U.S. Attorney's office knows juuuuust a bit more about the law than AOC, sets her straight about RICO:
“If you’re going to bully a witness, at least you shouldn’t embarrass yourself by getting the law wrong.” pic.twitter.com/p7MU62xSWo— David Asman (@DavidAsmanfox) March 21, 2024
“RICO is a crime Even #FaniWillis says so That’s why is (sic) has it’s (sic) own distinct code section under state and federal law #ricoisacrime,” Phil Holloway added.
RICO is a crime
Even #FaniWillis says so
That's why is has it's own distinct code section under state and federal law#ricoisacrime pic.twitter.com/m3G3IpGCuf
— Phil Holloway ✈️ (@PhilHollowayEsq) March 21, 2024