Chris Cuomo Blasts AOC for Impeachment Push, Warns of Democratic Party Fallout

NewsNation host Chris Cuomo has launched a fierce critique against New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), accusing her of driving the Democratic Party toward political ruin. In a recent broadcast, Cuomo did not mince words as he railed against what he sees as a growing trend of extremism on the party’s left flank—personified, in his view, by AOC and her allies.

At the heart of Cuomo’s frustration is AOC’s renewed push to impeach former President Donald Trump following a controversial military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities. The airstrike, which involved the use of 14 bunker-buster bombs, reportedly targeted Iran’s enrichment operations and led to what some are calling a de facto ceasefire. While the strike has drawn criticism over questions of legality and congressional authority, Cuomo sees Ocasio-Cortez’s impeachment response as a political misfire.

“This kind of move isn’t about protecting democracy,” Cuomo said on-air. “It’s about staying relevant on social media. You’re not trying to improve the country—you’re just shouting into your echo chamber.”

Cuomo warned that Democrats were beginning to fall into the same pattern they often accuse the MAGA wing of the GOP of embracing—ideological extremism. He urged his fellow Democrats to align with the mainstream, saying the party needs to represent the “80 percent” of Americans, not the vocal 20 percent on either fringe.

Throughout his impassioned commentary, Cuomo invoked his family’s long history in Democratic politics, pointing to his father, the late New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, and his brother, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He argued that current progressive leaders like AOC pale in comparison when it comes to leadership, ideas, and impact.

“You are not in the same league. You’re not in the same sport. You’re not even on the same planet,” Cuomo said, comparing AOC’s style of politics with his father’s more centrist and pragmatic approach. “Say what you want about Mario Cuomo. Go ahead and take your shots. But he stood for something. He built something. What exactly are you building besides a brand?”

Cuomo was especially critical of AOC’s tendency to take positions he considers to be out of step with the average American voter. He cited her stances on defunding the police, supporting candidates like Zohran Mamdani—an avowed Socialist who defeated Cuomo’s brother Andrew in a political comeback attempt—and what he called “pro-Hamas rhetoric” as examples of her alienating approach.

“She’s on the wrong side of every 80-20 issue,” he added. “And that’s the kind of political math that kills a party.”

Cuomo called on Democrats to “wake up” and realize that veering too far left risks alienating the base and handing political ammunition to Republicans. He emphasized that impeachment, a rare and serious measure, should not be used lightly or as a political gesture.

“You are killing your party,” he repeated. “You’re not a real Democrat. You’re acting in your own little vacuum for attention. And Democrats need to be better than this.”

Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), a fellow Democrat but ideological moderate, also pushed back against AOC’s impeachment push. In an interview with Fox News, Fetterman dismissed the idea that Trump should be impeached over the Iran strike.

“Of course not,” Fetterman said. “We all know that’s not going anywhere. It’s not helpful, and it doesn’t move the country forward.”

Fetterman echoed Cuomo’s concern that the casual use of impeachment weakens the seriousness of the process. He warned that throwing the term around loosely could have long-term consequences.

“When you use that word for every political disagreement, it loses its weight. Impeachment should be reserved for the gravest violations, not as a partisan weapon,” he said.

AOC, however, stood by her comments, stating that the president’s unilateral decision to carry out the strike without congressional approval was a direct violation of the Constitution and War Powers Resolution.

“The President’s disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution,” she posted on social media. “Congress alone has the power to declare war.”

Still, critics argue that AOC’s move plays more to her digital audience than to constitutional principles or the best interests of her party. Cuomo ended his critique with a plea to Democrats to return to a broader tent strategy.

“Be with the 80, not the 20,” he said. “That’s how you win elections. That’s how you build a lasting legacy—not hashtags and headlines.