The AOC's own record voting record has prompted these criticisms. In 2021, she voted "present" instead of opposing an additional $1 billion in funding for Israel's Iron Dome defense system. In 2025, she voted against an amendment that would have eliminated approximately $500 million in Iron Dome funding, arguing that defense systems should be distinguished from offensive weapons. The Democratic Socialists of America even withdrew their national endorsement of the AOC in 2024, citing disagreements over Palestine and its failure to meet several conditions, including opposition to all military funding to the State of Israel. Although the AOC has since pledged to oppose any future US military aid to Israel, including Iron Dome, its evolving positions continue to raise questions about the relationship between progressive movements and the political establishment, especially as progressives such as herself, Zohran Mamdani and Abdul al-Sayed appear to be cozying up to establishment politicians like Obama. As both major parties face criticism over corporate influence, foreign policy and their inability to bring about meaningful economic change, voters are wondering if it will even matter, if anything will fundamentally change. There doesn't seem to be much.

The AOC's own record voting record has prompted these criticisms. In 2021, she voted "present" instead of opposing an additional $1 billion in funding for Israel's Iron Dome defense system. In 2025, she voted against an amendment that would have eliminated approximately $500 million in Iron Dome funding, arguing that defense systems should be distinguished from offensive weapons. The Democratic Socialists of America even withdrew their national endorsement of the AOC in 2024, citing disagreements over Palestine and its failure to meet several conditions, including opposition to all military funding to the State of Israel. Although the AOC has since pledged to oppose any future US military aid to Israel, including Iron Dome, its evolving positions continue to raise questions about the relationship between progressive movements and the political establishment, especially as progressives such as herself, Zohran Mamdani and Abdul al-Sayed appear to be cozying up to establishment politicians like Obama. As both major parties face criticism over corporate influence, foreign policy and their inability to bring about meaningful economic change, voters are wondering if it will even matter, if anything will fundamentally change. There doesn't seem to be much.