Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is once again making headlines, this time over her calls for President Donald Trump to face yet another impeachment attempt. But instead of Republicans firing back, it was a Democrat — Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman — who put the brakes on the idea, calling it pointless, divisive, and ultimately “dead on arrival.”
The clash highlights deep divisions within the Democratic Party over how to handle Trump’s second term in office. While progressives like Ocasio-Cortez and members of the so-called “Squad” have leaned into aggressive rhetoric about impeachment, more pragmatic Democrats like Fetterman argue that the constant talk only undermines the seriousness of the process and risks alienating voters.
Fetterman: “It’s Not Going Anywhere”
Speaking to Fox News this week, Fetterman didn’t mince words when asked about AOC’s renewed impeachment push.
“Of course, no [he should not be impeached],” Fetterman said bluntly. “She knows it. I know it. We all know it… that is not going anywhere. He has been impeached twice, and now he is still our president as well, so it is not going anywhere, and I do not think [bringing it up is] helpful.”
The Pennsylvania senator added that impeachment should not be treated as a partisan tool.
“I think if you throw that term around, that actually diminishes the severity of what impeachment is really reserved for,” he explained.
That sentiment echoes what many moderates in the Democratic caucus are saying privately: the party has bigger problems than indulging progressive fantasies of removing Trump from office.
Democrats Divided On Trump Strategy
The impeachment debate is just the latest example of how fractured the Democratic Party has become. On one side, progressives like Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Ayanna Pressley want to push for aggressive action against Trump at every turn, regardless of the likelihood of success. On the other, more centrist figures like Fetterman argue that constantly relitigating old battles only makes Democrats look out of touch.
Trump, of course, has already been impeached twice — once over Ukraine and once over the January 6 Capitol riot. He was acquitted both times. For most voters, the idea of trying again now that he is back in the White House seems more like political theater than a serious constitutional matter.
Republicans, meanwhile, have seized on the split, pointing to Democrats’ obsession with Trump as evidence that they are unwilling to govern. Even within her own party, Ocasio-Cortez appears increasingly isolated on the issue.
AOC’s Ethics Scandal Casts A Shadow
Fetterman’s dismissal of impeachment talk isn’t the only headache facing Ocasio-Cortez. The New York lawmaker continues to face scrutiny over her 2021 appearance at the Met Gala, where she wore the now-infamous “Tax the Rich” gown.
According to a lengthy report from the House Ethics Committee, Ocasio-Cortez accepted thousands of dollars in gifts tied to the event — including the custom-made dress, designer shoes, a luxury handbag, jewelry, and hairstyling services. The fair-market value of the items came to $3,724.04, but Ocasio-Cortez only paid $990.76, and only after months of delays.
The report noted that multiple vendors had to repeatedly demand payment, with some threatening legal action before Ocasio-Cortez’s team finally covered the costs. The committee determined that her conduct violated House rules on accepting gifts and standards of conduct.
Making matters worse, she also gave her boyfriend, Riley Roberts, a free $35,000 ticket to the event — something the panel said violated congressional gift rules.
Although the committee ultimately stopped short of issuing formal punishment, it ordered Ocasio-Cortez to reimburse vendors and donate $250 to cover Roberts’ dinner at the gala.
Former Staffers Under Fire
The ethics report placed much of the blame on AOC’s former staff, including ex-campaign manager Rebecca Rodriguez. Rodriguez attempted to haggle down the cost of the custom dress from $1,300 to $300 and left a $477 hairstyling bill unpaid for six months.
The committee noted that while Ocasio-Cortez may not have “intentionally” sought to avoid payments, her staff’s actions reflected a disregard for House rules. Vendors repeatedly described confusion and frustration with the delays, and one designer admitted she never asked for payment upfront because “Met Gala attendees don’t normally pay for this.”
The scandal dragged on for more than three years, culminating in subpoenas and a formal investigation before finally reaching resolution earlier this year.
Hypocrisy Charges From Republicans
For Republicans, the optics couldn’t be clearer: Ocasio-Cortez calls for Trump’s removal while struggling to follow basic ethics rules herself. GOP lawmakers argue that the scandal undermines her credibility and exposes her as a hypocrite.
“How can she lecture the rest of us about ethics when she’s accepting thousands of dollars in free gifts for a gala with Hollywood elites?” one Republican aide asked rhetorically.
Even some Democrats quietly admit the controversy is embarrassing, especially since Ocasio-Cortez has built her political brand around fighting corruption and defending working-class Americans.
Why It Matters
The episode underscores the ongoing tug-of-war within the Democratic Party. Progressives like AOC want to keep Trump under a constant cloud of controversy, even if it means pushing impeachment for a third time. More pragmatic Democrats, led by voices like Fetterman, argue that the party should focus on kitchen-table issues — inflation, jobs, housing, and health care — instead of political stunts that risk backfiring.
With Trump already gaining momentum for his second term agenda, Democrats can ill afford to waste energy on fights they cannot win. Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez’s ethics baggage leaves her vulnerable to attacks not only from Republicans but also from Democrats who want new leadership.
Conclusion
As Fetterman put it, impeachment is “not going anywhere.” And for Ocasio-Cortez, her efforts to make Trump’s removal a centerpiece of Democratic strategy are colliding with the reality of her own missteps.
At a time when Democrats are struggling to hold together a fractious coalition, the clash between AOC and Fetterman is more than just a disagreement over impeachment — it’s a battle over the party’s identity, priorities, and credibility.
