Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) became irritated and nearly ended an interview after being questioned about the possibility of his political ally, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), pursuing a seat in the Senate.
During an interview with liberal ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, the 83-year-old senator had been praising Ocasio-Cortez for her role in pushing forward far-left policies.
Karl then posed a question that appeared to strike a nerve: “Would you like to see her join you in the Senate?”
Although Karl did not explicitly mention it, the question hinted at speculation surrounding a potential challenge to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who is up for re-election in 2028.
Sanders responded curtly, signaling that he wanted to end the conversation.“Right now we have, as I said, just a whole lot of people in the Congress. OK, Jonathan, thanks,” he said before standing up and stepping out of frame.
Karl tried to keep Sanders in the conversation. “Wait, I got one more — I got one more,” he urged. “This is an important question.”
The senator, however, dismissed Karl’s attempt to continue the interview, responding in frustration, “No, you wanna do nonsense. Do nonsense. I don’t want to talk about inside-the-beltway stuff. I got 32,000 people [at my rallies].”
Karl attempted to justify his line of questioning by pointing out that Ocasio-Cortez had been traveling with Sanders at recent campaign-style rallies.
After initially refusing to discuss the topic, Sanders finally agreed to return to his seat and answer one final question.
Karl’s last inquiry focused on whether Sanders, who has been drawing sizable crowds on his “Fighting the Oligarchy Tour” with Ocasio-Cortez, was considering another run for office.
“Right now I’m very proud that the people of the state of Vermont sent me back to the Senate with 63% of the vote,” Sanders responded. “I’m Vermont’s senator. That’s what I do. And I’m very happy to do it. I am 83 years of age. And I’m tired.”
Sanders, who secured re-election in 2022, is not up for another Senate race until 2030, making it unlikely that he will seek higher office again.
While Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have been rallying supporters across the country, the “Squad” member used a recent event in Colorado to take aim at Republican Representative Gabe Evans (R-Colo.), who represents the state’s 8th District.
“I hear that you have a representative that has not done a town hall,” Ocasio-Cortez told the crowd, criticizing Evans’ engagement with his constituents.
“You know, I will say, usually your first three months on a new job, you are on your best behavior and working your hardest,” she added. “If this is the best that you all are getting, I think you deserve better.”
She went on to attack Evans and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) over their votes in favor of a Republican-backed government funding bill, attempting to portray them as out of touch with the needs of their constituents.
“Gabe Evans, you know that guy who hasn’t been showing up? Maybe it’s because he voted to cut Medicaid,” she said.
Following Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks, a spokesperson for Evans pushed back against the attack, framing her and Sanders as radical figures whose policies are out of step with mainstream America.
“Democrats may not know what their brand is right now, but Congressman Gabe Evans knows his. Congressman Evans is fighting for lower costs, safer communities, and making the American Dream possible for all Coloradans,” the spokesperson stated. “His commonsense approach stands in stark contrast to AOC and Bernie Sanders’ extreme, anti-oil and gas rhetoric.”
Boebert also snapped back at the claims in a statement. “If Democrats want to bring a couple of avowed socialists to Weld County to talk about their Green New Deal scams that will crush Colorado oil & gas jobs, I say go for it,” she remarked.
“The contrast between them and Republicans like Gabe Evans who will stand up for energy producers, law enforcement officers, and small business owners couldn’t be clearer,” Boebert added.
Meanwhile, during his interview with Karl, Sanders unexpectedly conceded that former President Trump had been effective in addressing key issues related to border security and drug trafficking.
“I think cracking down on fentanyl, making sure our borders are stronger,” Sanders said, acknowledging that illegal immigration poses a problem.
“Look, nobody thinks illegal immigration is appropriate, and I happen to think we need comprehensive immigration reform, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for people to be coming across the border illegally,” he stated.
However, while recognizing the need for border security, Sanders took issue with Trump’s plan for mass deportations.
“He wants to deport 20 million people who are in this country who are undocumented,” Sanders said. “Well, you do that, you destroy the entire country.”
He then attempted to justify the presence of illegal immigrants by arguing that they fill jobs that wealthier Americans would not want.
“Because I got news for you, Trump’s billionaire friends are not going to pick the crops in California that feed us. They’re not going to work in meatpacking houses,” Sanders said. “That’s what undocumented people are doing.”
Watch Sanders’ full interview on ABC’s “This Week” here:
“Look, nobody thinks illegal immigration is appropriate”. He must not know many Democrats.
Sanders needs to go back to Stalins head stone and wait to join him.
All for the Comedy
Unstable axxhole.