Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, widely known as AOC, delivered a cutting remark when she was asked which member of President Donald Trump’s cabinet he should “fire next.”
While speaking with reporters on Thursday (April 23), AOC was questioned by PabloReports in the wake of several high-profile departures involving women in Trump’s orbit, including Kristi Noem, who had been serving as Secretary of Homeland Security, and Pam Bondi, who had been Attorney General.
Noem was dismissed in March after what a government source described as a damaging run of “unfortunate leadership failures.” Soon after, Trump posted on social media that Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma would assume her duties.
Despite the firing, Trump suggested there was no personal animosity, noting that Noem would remain involved in his administration as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas.
Bondi, meanwhile, exited the attorney general role earlier this month. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump told her during a car ride that her tenure was ending.
He reportedly said: “I think it’s time,” with the news later announced the following day.
Trump later confirmed Bondi’s replacement, saying deputy attorney general Todd Blanche would step in on an acting basis. He wrote: “Our Deputy Attorney General, and a very talented and respected Legal Mind, Todd Blanche, will step in to serve as Acting Attorney General.”
Bondi’s departure has also been linked to criticism from both parties over how she handled the release of documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein—an issue that has reportedly irritated Trump.
When the conversation turned to who could be next to lose their job, AOC argued that Trump’s recent moves appear to disproportionately target women.
PabloReports asked: “Who do you think the next person Trump should fire should be?… What’s a man got to do to get fired in the Trump administration?”
To which AOC responded: “Is he out of women? That seems to be his pattern right now.
“Trump only seems to have the capability to fire female secretaries.
“… I think what Kash Patel has done is a thousand times worse than a lot of other people. But they’ve gotten off scot-free. If you’re a man in the Trump administration, it seems that they reward misconduct.
“Hard to tell, I think, they don’t seem to have a rhyme or a reason, unless it’s to do with the Epstein files, then you’ll get the chop.”
The White House has been contacted for comment.