AOC's Controversial Munich Trip Sparks Debate

NY Post readers discuss critiques of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's comments at the Munich Security Conference.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The letters to the editor in the NY Post discuss the controversy surrounding Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's comments at the Munich Security Conference. Some readers criticize AOC's performance and question why she and other Democratic politicians were sent to represent the U.S. at the international event. Others praise Secretary of State Marco Rubio's speech at the conference, which they see as a strong defense of Western values and the transatlantic alliance.

Why it matters

The reactions to AOC's Munich trip highlight the ongoing political divisions in the U.S. and the intense scrutiny that high-profile Democratic politicians face, especially when representing the country on the global stage. The letters also reflect broader debates about the direction of U.S. foreign policy and the role of the Democratic Party.

The details

The letters criticize AOC's "incompetence" and "inability to learn the issues" during her trip, with one reader saying her "word salad offerings" were difficult for international dignitaries to understand. Other readers question why AOC and California Governor Gavin Newsom were sent to the conference, arguing they should be focused on problems in their home states. In contrast, the letters praise Secretary of State Marco Rubio's speech at the conference, which they see as a strong defense of Western values and the transatlantic alliance.

  • The letters were published on February 20, 2026.

The players

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

A U.S. Representative from New York's 14th congressional district and a prominent figure in the Democratic Party.

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California and a member of the Democratic Party.

Gretchen Whitmer

The Governor of Michigan and a member of the Democratic Party.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State and a member of the Republican Party.

Chuck Schumer

A U.S. Senator from New York and the Senate Majority Leader, a member of the Democratic Party.

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What they’re saying

“AOC's performance overseas displayed her incompetence and inability to learn the issues. It is not a good look for her political aspirations, but more important, she should leave the study abroad and begin to tackle the problems for her constituents in her Bronx district.”

— Peter Cooper (nypost.com)

“It was interesting to see how so many international dignitaries at the Munich Security Conference twisted their faces in agony during AOC's remarks as if they were trying to understand a language that none of them heard before.”

— Ken Karcinell (nypost.com)

“Rubio's tough love was a refreshing counterpoint to the European elites' gullible acceptance of the 'end of history' chimera following the collapse of Soviet communism and their swallowing of French political philosopher and psychiatrist Frantz Fanon's enervating suggestion that the only thing that can save the West from shipwreck is 'the very Christian sentiment of guilt'.”

— James Hyland (nypost.com)

The takeaway

The reactions to AOC's Munich trip highlight the deep political divisions in the U.S. and the intense scrutiny that high-profile Democratic politicians face, especially when representing the country on the global stage. The letters also reflect broader debates about the direction of U.S. foreign policy and the role of the Democratic Party.