Firebrand progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York shook the world of politics when she unseated longtime incumbent, former Congressman Joe Crowley—his first challenger in nearly 15 years.
Ocasio-Cortez—known colloquially as "AOC"—hasn't taken that support for granted. After becoming an overnight star of the progressive movement, AOC was heralded as a force to be reckoned with for her expert questioning on House committee hearings.
During the pandemic, she used her massive following to establish a free tutoring network for children in her district who were learning from home. She partnered with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to provide funeral expense reimbursements to families of victims who succumbed the virus.
But due to her unabashed support for issues like climate policy overhaul, the dissolution of ICE, and medicare for all, she's quickly become a favorite target of the Republican party, which has quickly painted her as the poster-child of the socialist takeover it peddles to its voters.
Despite millions in funds to her Republican opponent in the 2020 midterms, Ocasio-Cortez won New York's heavily blue 14th District with nearly 75 percent of the vote.
But that hasn't stopped far-right activist Tina Forte from throwing her hat in the race to unseat AOC in the 2022 midterms. Known for filming crass iPhone videos ranting about Democrats, Forte has become quite the c-list celebrity among right-wing circles.
Now, a report from Jordan Liles of Snopes has exposed Forte as a participant in the Capitol Riots of January 6, when a mob of pro-Trump extremists who'd fallen for his election lies mounted a deadly failed insurrection against the United States Capitol.
On the morning of January 6, Forte posted a picture of herself with the caption "1776," suggesting that the effort to undo the peaceful transfer of power by terrorizing a joint session of Congress was comparable to the American Revolution.
Tina Forte, a Republican congressional candidate who is challenging AOC in 2022 a MAGA influencer promoted the 6 January rallies ahead of time and was involved in the riot. She supports QAnon, the Proud Boys, and the \u201cStop the Steal\u201d movement.pic.twitter.com/INNHproNEs— ~\ud835\udce3\ud835\udcee\ud835\udcf7\ud835\udcea\ud835\udcec\ud835\udcf2\ud835\udcf8\ud835\udcfe\ud835\udcfc \ud835\udce3\ud835\udcee\ud835\udcea\ud835\udcf1~ (@~\ud835\udce3\ud835\udcee\ud835\udcf7\ud835\udcea\ud835\udcec\ud835\udcf2\ud835\udcf8\ud835\udcfe\ud835\udcfc \ud835\udce3\ud835\udcee\ud835\udcea\ud835\udcf1~) 1630111917
Forte later livestreamed the event.
Tina Forte's Livestream at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021youtu.be
She told her followers:
"Get your asses to the Capitol."
Further video showed Forte, who claimed to be wearing a bulletproof vest, standing on restricted ground as the Capitol was attacked.
17/#IamTinaForte Jan 6 on restricted ground as Capitol is attacked. Filmer (#IamJenRemauro?):"This is what happens when you storm the Capitol!". TF:"That's right! This is what happens!" Filmer:"They break down the fuckn barriers." TF:"We came with Scott's flag and shit happened!" pic.twitter.com/8rpcM2erfz
— Opal Katz (@DianthaSol) August 25, 2021
People sadly weren't surprised, and some even thought the development would boost her popularity within the GOP.
Of course.https://twitter.com/snopes/status/1430953867311607812\u00a0\u2026— Lynn (@Lynn) 1630050354
...and we think this is a disqualifier in the eyes of today's GOP?https://twitter.com/snopes/status/1430953867311607812\u00a0\u2026— Pep Rosenfeld (@Pep Rosenfeld) 1630052636
Surprising no onehttps://twitter.com/snopes/status/1430953867311607812\u00a0\u2026— tiff (@tiff) 1630004610
https://twitter.com/snopes/status/1430953867311607812\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/PjDIEsGmJ1— Fire_Marshal_Bill (@Fire_Marshal_Bill) 1630028910
Some said she should face legal repercussions.
.@ FBI, Do you know about Tina Forte? She appears to be a 1/6/2021 #CapitolBuilding #insurrectionist.\n\n@TheJusticeDept @SeditionHuntershttps://twitter.com/snopes/status/1430953867311607812\u00a0\u2026— Sharon Carbine (@Sharon Carbine) 1630038045
Why are we not surprised? I hope Tine Forte gets arrested now that she\u2019s been revealed as a seditionist and law-breaking rioter. @FBI @proudforamerica @Tina4congress #TinaForte #QAnonCult #QAnon #CapitolRiot #January6th #https://twitter.com/snopes/status/1430953867311607812\u00a0\u2026— Resist! (@Resist!) 1630033796
Why hasn't this person been arrested by the FBI for inciting a violent insurrection against our government?https://twitter.com/snopes/status/1430953867311607812\u00a0\u2026— miashadow7606 - Adult human female since 1974. (@miashadow7606 - Adult human female since 1974.) 1630032584
Arrest her.https://twitter.com/snopes/status/1430953867311607812\u00a0\u2026— Valerie Curl (@Valerie Curl) 1630012097
#LockHerUp\nThis woman is a clear and present danger.https://twitter.com/snopes/status/1430953867311607812\u00a0\u2026— \u2696\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2Astro Attorney\ud83d\udd2d\ud83e\ude90 (@\u2696\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2Astro Attorney\ud83d\udd2d\ud83e\ude90) 1630020901
The FBI has arrested over 500 people in connection to the riots.
