Representative Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) issued a stark warning on Sunday, asserting that Democratic candidates affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) would form a "commie caucus" if the party regains control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections. Speaking on Fox News's "Sunday Morning Futures," Malliotakis used the platform to criticize New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's recent proposal to tax second homes valued above $5 million, tying the policy to what she described as a broader radical agenda.
"They want to defund our military, they wipe their hands on the American flag," Malliotakis told fill-in host Jackie DeAngelis. "I mean, give me a break. These are the candidates that will be coming to Congress as part of the commie caucus next year, and that is why we must have our Republican majority, because if we don't keep this Republican majority, they will be running the show."
The congresswoman also took aim at Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), accusing her of "trying to laugh off Woke 1"—a reference to Ocasio-Cortez's recent interview on ABC News's "This Week." In that interview, Ocasio-Cortez discussed the past positions of Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist and former Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate, including her controversial stance on Thanksgiving. Ocasio-Cortez quoted New York City Council member Chi Ossé's phrase "Woke 1 was crazy," and explained that the COVID-19 lockdowns had opened the Overton window, allowing for a broader range of policy ideas.
"Well, you know, I think that during this time and during, especially during COVID, there was a huge opening of the Overton window," Ocasio-Cortez said. "We were shut down. There was some of the highest unemployment rates that we have seen because of those shutdowns. And I think that the doors were really open in trying to entertain any and every policy that was going to get us to a better place." She added that these discussions were "quite fruitful" but acknowledged that "during lockdown, of course, rhetoric in that time is not rhetoric that we would use today."
Malliotakis's comments come amid a broader Republican push to spotlight DSA positions, including calls to abolish prisons and police. Senior White House advisor Stephen Miller has claimed that "Woke 1 never stopped," signaling that the issue remains a potent political weapon. The GOP's focus on DSA-aligned candidates is part of a strategy to paint Democrats as too far left, a tactic that has resonated with some voters even as others argue it oversimplifies the party's diversity.
Political analysts note that while DSA-backed candidates have gained influence in local races, their success at the federal level remains limited. A recent analysis of why far-left candidates often underperform in polls suggests that their appeal may not translate to general elections. Meanwhile, centrist Democrats like Senator Joe Manchin have distanced themselves from socialist candidates, with Manchin previously dismissing the idea of backing them as "crazy."
As the midterm campaign heats up, Republicans are likely to continue linking Democratic hopefuls to DSA positions, while Democrats try to focus on kitchen-table issues. The battle for control of Congress appears increasingly contentious, with both parties seeking to energize their bases and win over independents.
