Progressive Icon Refuses to Back Her Own Former Chief of Staff

Clear Facts

• Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez declined to endorse Saikat Chakrabarti, her former chief of staff and 2018 campaign manager, in his current primary race
• Left-wing host Cenk Uygur criticized AOC’s response as a “Kamala-like word salad” when pressed on the endorsement question
• Chakrabarti was instrumental in AOC’s 2018 congressional victory, serving as both chief of staff and campaign manager

Left-wing media host Cenk Uygur delivered a sharp rebuke of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., on his show Thursday, accusing the congresswoman of dodging a straightforward question about endorsing her former chief of staff. The criticism came after AOC gave what Uygur called a “Kamala-like word salad” when asked about backing Saikat Chakrabarti in an upcoming primary.

Speaking on “The Young Turks,” Uygur mocked Ocasio-Cortez’s response after she was pressed by Drop Site News about backing Chakrabarti, who previously served as her chief of staff and campaign manager during her 2018 congressional victory.

“What was that? That was a Kamala Harris-like word salad. OK, I’m going to try to decipher it.”

Uygur’s comments came as AOC declined to directly endorse Chakrabarti, despite his central role in her political rise and his current candidacy in a high-profile primary contest. The hesitation has raised questions about loyalty and political calculation within progressive circles.

Explaining her reluctance, Ocasio-Cortez framed the decision as part of a broader political calculation.

“I’m trying to think about the role that I am trying to play more broadly in these things. We’ve got 435 seats in Congress, right?… And once you go in then it’s like what about this, what about this, what about this one?… We’re thinking about how much of myself I’m pouring into this.”

Uygur rejected that reasoning, arguing the question was straightforward given her relationship with Chakrabarti.

“Yeah, but we’re not asking about 434 other seats. We’re asking about your former chief of staff.”

Uygur also questioned why endorsing someone who played such a pivotal role in her career should require extended deliberation.

“Does your crack team have to work for six, eight months to endorse your former chief of staff? Don’t you know who your former chief of staff is?”

“I know how much of himself [Chakrabarti] poured into your campaign… 100%. And I think it made all the difference.”

Uygur broadened his criticism of the progressive movement, arguing that leaders should more actively support allies like Chakrabarti when they run for office. The incident highlights internal tensions within the progressive movement about how established leaders treat those who helped them achieve power.

“You’re supposed to put up a ladder so they could climb up, not take the ladder away or not take six months to decide.”

Despite his criticism, Uygur emphasized that he wasn’t attacking AOC’s overall record.

“I’m not against AOC, she is on our side on the policies way more than the average person in Congress.”

However, he added that her response in this case was “bizarre” and “inexplicable.”

Uygur also contrasted Chakrabarti with his primary opponent, California State Sen. Scott Wiener, criticizing the California Democrat’s record on Israel-related issues.

“In fact, his main opponent, Scott Wiener, is one of the most pro-Israel legislators in all of California.”

Uygur added that Wiener has supported efforts targeting criticism of Israel in schools and on college campuses.

“So it’s not like this is a hard question as to who progressives should support.”

The incident reveals fractures within the progressive movement as some of its most prominent figures appear reluctant to support the very people who helped build their political careers. Ocasio-Cortez’s office has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.

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