Ocasio-Cortez: Booker doesn't owe Biden apology over remark about segregationists

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezAttorney says 75-year-old man shoved by Buffalo police suffered brain injury How language is bringing down Donald Trump Highest-circulation Kentucky newspaper endorses Charles Booker in Senate race MORE (D-N.Y.) came to the defense of Sen. Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-N.J.) on Thursday after former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE suggested the senator owed him an apology for criticizing remarks Biden made about working with two segregationist lawmakers.

“For the record, Cory Booker does not *owe* Joe Biden an apology for pointing out that waxing nostalgic about working with segregationists is insensitive,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. “‘He knows better?’ Really? What is ‘better?’ To stay quiet about it?” 

The freshman representative said it’s important not to “gloss over” Biden’s comment touting his working relationship with former Democratic Sens. James Eastland (Miss.) and Herman Talmadge (Ga.) in the 1970s, saying “we can’t risk depressed turnout in 2020.” 

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“The original remark is valid to ask about & have a discussion on or clarify — not dismiss,” she said. “We should be compassionate toward each other, but not silent.”

Biden was called out by a handful of Democratic presidential primary opponents on Wednesday, including Booker, after he recalled the “civility” surrounding working with the segregationist senators.

He refused Booker’s call for an apology, telling reporters, “He knows better. There’s not a racist bone in my body. I’ve been involved in civil rights my whole career. Period. Period. Period.”

Booker told CNN’s Don LemonDon Carlton LemonCNN’s Lemon accuses Trump officials of ‘white-mansplaining’ on systemic racism Webb: The modern age of dissent versus riot Birdwatcher questions whether response to woman who called police on him was ‘proportionate’ MORE that Biden “shouldn’t need this lesson” and called Biden’s response “deeply disappointing.”

“At a time when we have in the highest offices in the land divisiveness, racial hatred and bigotry being spewed, he should have the sensitivity to know that this is time I need to be an ally, I need to be a healer, I need to not engage in usage of words that harms folks,” he continued. “This is deeply disappointing.” 

Biden’s campaign did not immediately return a request for comment about Ocasio-Cortez’s remark. 

The progressive firebrand has previously hinted at support for other rivals of Biden in the 2020 Democratic field, including Sens. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) and Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.).