The office of Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis responded Friday to reports of far-left Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NYC) dining out maskless in Miami Beach as COVID-19 cases spike in New York City.
“Glad to see AOC enjoying the Florida freedom and sunshine, but it’s sad that school children in NYC are forced to eat lunch outside in freezing temperatures this winter due to the draconian and useless COVID policies pushed by AOC and her fellow progressives,” DeSantis spokeswoman Christina Pushaw told The Daily Wire.
Notably, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed this month that at least some school children were being forced to eat outside due to COVID-related protocols. Psaki said her child doesn’t mind at all eating snack and lunch outside and added that vaccines are not yet approved for very young children. Alternatively, some parents have voiced outrage at the protocols.
National Review on Thursday night broke the story of Rep. Ocasio-Cortez dining out in Miami Beach as COVID cases spike in her district after someone sent the news team a photo of the outing:
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was spotted dining in Miami Beach, Fla., on Thursday, according to a tip received by National Review, on the same day that her native New York City reported a record number of Covid-19 cases.
Photos obtained by National Review show Ocasio-Cortez seated outside Doraku Sushi and Izakaya in Miami Beach Thursday afternoon, raising a cocktail in one and checking her phone in another.
The Florida outing comes as New York City reported a record number of new, confirmed cases of Covid-19 (almost 44,000). Ocasio-Cortez represents New York’s 14th congressional district, which covers parts of the Bronx and Queens.
In a side-by-side photo, the discrepancy highlighted by DeSantis’ office was showcased online. “Kids in [NYC] sitting in the cold to eat lunch vs. NY’s congresswoman soaking up the sun,” posted Twitter account @beyondreasdoubt.
kids in nyc sitting in the cold to eat lunch vs. ny’s congresswoman soaking up the sun pic.twitter.com/AFtS0OofFW
— LB (@beyondreasdoubt) December 31, 2021
Team DeSantis on Thursday was quick to comment on AOC’s FL visit. “Welcome to Florida, AOC! We hope you’re enjoying a taste of freedom here in the Sunshine State thanks to [Ron DeSantis]’s leadership,” a tweet said. “P.S. We recommend the Rock Shrimp Roll and the Aoki Tai the next time you decide to dine in Miami. Cheers!”
P.S. We recommend the Rock Shrimp Roll and the Aoki Tai the next time you decide to dine in Miami.
Cheers!
— Team DeSantis (@teamrondesantis) December 31, 2021
Pushaw, too, made her own remarks via Twitter.
“Florida is so dangerous & scary that AOC decided to go on vacation in Miami this week,” mocked the spokeswoman. “You know it’s a free state when even a Democrat can enjoy cocktails without being forced to show her papers or wear a mask.”
Florida is so dangerous & scary that AOC decided to go on vacation in Miami this week 🌞 You know it’s a free state when even a Democrat can enjoy cocktails without being forced to show her papers or wear a mask 🐊
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 (@ChristinaPushaw) December 31, 2021
Moreover, RedState managing editor Jennifer Van Laar refuted claims that AOC was merely visiting family. “I mean, I love Miami Beach, too. And don’t try to tell me she’s visiting her family,” she wrote. “They’re 4 hours away. She’s just extending a firm middle digit to her constituents.”
I mean, I love Miami Beach, too. And don't try to tell me she's visiting her family. They're 4 hours away. She's just extending a firm middle digit to her constituents. https://t.co/RGPT23zCrb
— Jennifer Van Laar (@jenvanlaar) December 31, 2021