Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has come under fire for her remarks about Daniel Penny, the former Marine recently acquitted in the subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely. Ocasio-Cortez suggested that subway passengers should feel uneasy about Penny’s presence, citing his lack of remorse and implying concerns about potential future behavior.
Her comments have sparked backlash, with many defending Penny’s actions as necessary to protect fellow passengers during a dangerous situation. Critics of Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks argue that her statements unfairly vilify Penny, who was found not guilty of all charges, and dismiss the context of the incident.
AOC Is a dangerous psychopath
She blames Daniel Penny for violence and not the drugged out schizo who threatened to kill people
If you want to prevent violence stop defending violent people pic.twitter.com/usJRKMnctz
— Tim Pool (@Timcast) December 10, 2024
The case, which occurred in May 2023, involved Neely, a homeless man with a history of mental illness, reportedly acting aggressively and threatening passengers on a New York City subway. Penny intervened by restraining Neely in a chokehold, an act that ultimately led to Neely’s death. The incident became a flashpoint for national debates on self-defense, mental health, and public safety.
Penny’s acquittal has divided public opinion, with some viewing him as a protector of public safety and others arguing that his actions were excessive. Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks have further fueled the controversy, raising questions about the role of public figures in addressing such high-profile cases and their potential influence on public sentiment.