Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been ridiculed online for claiming “RICO is not a crime” in a heated exchange Thursday with former President Biden impeachment testimony witnesses Tony Bobulinski.
Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) Bobulinski who was an ex-business close associate to Hunter Biden, whether he observed “the president commit a crime,” trying to discredit GOP claims regarding Biden’s family. Biden family in the second impeachment hearing.
“How much time do I have to go through it,” Bobulinski responded before naming a number of things like “corruption statutes, RICO and conspiracy, [Foreign Agents Registration Act].”
“What is the crime sir, specifically,” the young lady asked.
“You requested me to reply to your question. I responded to the question. RICO You’re probably not aware of. Statutes on corruption. FARA,” Bobulinski replied.
“Excuse me, sir. RICO is not an actual crime. It’s a classification,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a slightly condescending tone.
RICO is the acronym for Racketeer-Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act that targets fraudulent business practices like money laundering and organized criminals.
A former president Donald Trump and over a dozen of his associates were convicted in a massive racketeering trial in Fulton County last August over an alleged 2020 Georgia election manipulation.
“Oh no, it’s a category of crime that you are then charged with,” Bobulinski replied.
“It’s hilarious, in this room of the committeenobody’s herethere are more than 18 lawyers who have gone into law schools. I’ll let you to decide what the statute is,” he added.
“Okay sir, I reclaim my time,” said Ocasio Cortez who was irritated after an exchange of words. “Clearly, what we are seeing her today is the continuation of the 15-month saga of the Republican majority lost in the desert.”
She then began a monologue in which she rails against the impeachment probe, stressing that the resolution to the investigation “does not outline a high crime or misdemeanor.”
The internet was quickly roasting the progressive star in the raging exchange.
“And, of course… AOC’s favorite network has her back after she completely and totally embarrassed herself by arguing that RICO is not a crime,” journalist Joe Concha said.
Of the course… AOC’s most-loved network is hers after she completely and utterly embarrass herself by saying the fact that RICO is not an offense. https://t.co/L5juKorCKC
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) March 20, 2024
“AOC broken in Hunter Biden hearing. In fact, she says RICO isn’t an offense. So… clear the jails! For the record, all plaintiffs involved are defendants in the Georgia case that was filed by Fani Willis fall under RICO. Ooops,” Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) wrote on X.
AOC broken in Hunter Biden hearing.
So broken, in fact, she says RICO isn’t criminal. It’s time to… clear the jails!
And for your information All participants in the Georgia case filed by Fani Willis fall under RICO.
Ooops. pic.twitter.com/GGfoEazTSA
— Wesley Hunt (@WesleyHuntTX) March 20 20, 2024
“It’s official that @AOC is a sort of exclusive. RICO is a reference to Racketeering Influenced and corrupt Organizations. It’s a good thing there’s …..no crime in this case LOL,” media personality Graham Allen was adamant about.
“Well damn. Hope @AOC will be able to convince Fani Willis to drop the RICO accusations against Trump,” BlazeTV host Sara Gonzales quipped.
A lot of House Republicans have stayed clear of indicting Joe Biden of committing a specific crime and have framed the impeachment investigation as a fact-finding exercise.
The White House and allies of the president have taken advantage of the apparent insecurity that is being displayed by House Republicans to push forward the investigation into impeachment.
“As we mentioned on Friday, it’s time to get moving. This is the end of the story. This charade is over. House should be focusing its attention on the real issues that matter to the American citizens,” Ian Sams, White House spokesperson for oversight and investigation, wrote on X before the hearing.
President Biden has pleaded with Congress to end the impeachment investigation, and denied claims of misconduct.
Republicans were invited by the scandal-plagued Hunter Biden to testify Wednesday but Biden turned the invitation down. The Biden son testified behind closed doors to the panel on February. 28.
In addition to Bobulinski Republicans were also invited to the event former Biden friends, Jason Galanis, and Devon Archer, who turned them down.
Galanis is serving the sentence for an alleged $60 million scheme to extort money from the Native American tribe. He was a prisoner in the trial.
Additionally, Democrats invited an ex-associate of the former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Lev Parnas, who initially sought to uncover dirt about Biden’s activities in Ukraine however, he has since ruled out that it was an “wild goose chase.”