Cruz responded by calling AOC a "liar," claiming that it was his job to contest the election results, amid unfounded allegations by the outgoing president that the election was "stolen," and despite weeks of legal battles where he has not presented any significant evidence whatsoever to prove his claims that Americans were robbed of a free and fair election."Leading a debate in the Senate on ensuring election integrity is doing our jobs, and it’s in no way responsible for the despicable terrorists who attacked the Capitol yesterday. And sorry, I ain’t going anywhere." Cruz tweeted in response. "When you and your socialist buddies try to massively raise taxes, when you try to pass the green new deal and destroy millions of jobs, when you push for amnesty, when you try to pack the Supreme Court with activists to undermine our Constitutional rights... I will fight that every step and stand with the People."Sen. Cruz, you must accept responsibility for how your craven, self-serving actions contributed to the deaths of four people yesterday. And how you fundraised off this riot.Both you and Senator Hawley must resign. If you do not, the Senate should move for your expulsion. https://t.co/O2m6T59LYP
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 7, 2021
AOC responded with a screenshot of a mass text message from Cruz asking for donations and support to move forward with his plan to "reject electors from key states," asking those to "stand with him," hours after the rioters besieged the Capitol building. "Oh - you’re accusing me of lying? Isn’t this you? Your campaign sent out this fundraising message as people were sieging the Capitol. You claimed to be 'leading the fight to reject electors,'" she said. "Clashes started around 1:20pm. This message was sent after the Capitol was breached."1/2 @AOC You are a liar. Leading a debate in the Senate on ensuring election integrity is doing our jobs, and it’s in no way responsible for the despicable terrorists who attacked the Capitol yesterday.And sorry, I ain’t going anywhere. When you and your socialist buddies... https://t.co/UoKBOC8ZU7
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 7, 2021
Cruz rebutted by claiming it was an automated campaign message, and after it was sent out he reprimanded his team and instructed them to stop fundraising.Oh - you’re accusing me of lying?Isn’t this you? Your campaign sent out this fundraising message as people were sieging the Capitol. You claimed to be “leading the fight to reject electors.”Clashes started around 1:20pm. This message was sent after the Capitol was breached. https://t.co/oAf16aHktc pic.twitter.com/qb56RxcfSy
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 7, 2021
"Your complete refusal to acknowledge any of the above harm, wrongdoing, or even misjudgement; and your lack of any self-reflection in how these acts contributed to yesterday’s chaos is alarming," AOC said in response. "It is unbecoming of any elected official and makes you unfit for the office you occupy.""Resign," she concluded.Earlier in the day, AOC denounced Cruz's defense of the mob that laid siege to the Capitol building – the first to do so since the British in the War of 1812 – when the senator responded to Biden's statement following the insurrection claiming that "at a time of deep national division, President-elect Biden’s choice to call his political opponents literal Nazis does nothing to bring us together or promote healing." "They wore Auschwitz shirts, erected gallows, and tried to hang the Vice President," AOC tweeted, calling out the antisemitic rhetoric and violent intentions. "Your continued excusal and denial of Wednesday’s Neo-Nazi presence is abhorrent and dangerous.""The most healing and unifying thing *you* can do is take responsibility for your actions and resign."1. Yes, my campaign sends out automated fundraising messages—as does your campaign & every other.2. When the attack happened, w/in minutes I told my team to halt fundraising.3. Your LIE is that debating an Election Commission in the Senate somehow supports terrorist violence. https://t.co/ZO86323xHp
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 7, 2021
"Your GOP colleague in the House praised Hitler this week," AOC added. She noted another antisemitic incident, saying that: "A Confederate flag was hung outside the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Yet you continue to deny this clear connection in the aftermath of Wednesday’s violence."Once again publicly calling for Cruz to step down, AOC told the senator: "You disgrace yourself and your office further every day. Resign."They wore Auschwitz shirts, erected gallows, and tried to hang the Vice President.Your continued excusal and denial of Wednesday’s Neo-Nazi presence is abhorrent and dangerous.The most healing and unifying thing *you* can do is take responsibility for your actions and resign. https://t.co/TlhLkkLPJy
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 9, 2021
Cruz responded by calling AOC and her group of Democratic colleagues anti-Israel, claiming they worked towards blocking a resolution on antisemitism that passed through Congress earlier this year."Epic hypocrisy. Facts: 1) Nazis are evil bigots. 2) You & your anti-Israel pals blocked a resolution condemning antisemitism—which I passed unanimously in the Senate. 3) Unless they are genocidal, calling your political opponents Nazis is atrocious," Cruz said.AOC rebuked his claims, presenting clerk records to show she "proudly" voted for the resolution to pass, signing off by stating that the senator's allegations are unhinged in reality."Your statements are growing increasingly erratic and unfounded in fact," she concluded. "I do not call all my opponents Nazis. But rest assured, neo-Nazis are my opponents."Your GOP colleague in the House praised Hitler this week. A Confederate flag was hung outside the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Yet you continue to deny this clear connection in the aftermath of Wednesday’s violence.You disgrace yourself and your office further every day. Resign.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 9, 2021
.@tedcruz again, you are lying.Pull the Clerk record. I proudly voted for the resolution against antisemitism you cite.Your statements are growing increasingly erratic and unfounded in fact.I do not call all my opponents Nazis. But rest assured, Neo-Nazis are my opponents. https://t.co/5uzOIwp1GV pic.twitter.com/rp1OgjJl2T
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 9, 2021