(NewsNation) — Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Tuesday for supporting President Joe Biden‘s reelection bid, calling it “very disappointing” and suggesting the congresswoman may be prioritizing her own political ambitions.
In a Tuesday interview on NewsNation’s “Dan Abrams Live,” Williamson expressed frustration with Ocasio-Cortez’s recent statement that “Joe Biden is our nominee” and “the matter is closed,” as Democrats wrestled over Biden’s reelection amid concerns over his ability to lead them to victory.
“I assume if you’re thinking about running in 2032 or in 2036, then you like all these other people are thinking about their own political ambitions,” Williamson said. She added that while Ocasio-Cortez and other Democrats might be able to withstand another four years of Donald Trump, “millions of people cannot.”
Williamson, who is challenging Biden for the Democratic nomination, argued that party leaders should stage an “intervention” with the president to persuade him to step aside. She claimed that Biden is “risking losing the White House” and potentially Democratic control of Congress.
The long-shot candidate also criticized Democratic senators for their reluctance to publicly discuss Biden’s political future following a closed-door meeting Tuesday. Williamson accused them of hypocrisy, saying, “If you’re going to support him in public, then don’t leak to Washington insiders … that you know he’s going to lose.”
Williamson insisted there is still time for the Democratic Party to change course, citing recent leadership changes in France and Great Britain. She suggested that party leaders are resistant to opening up the nominating process because “they want to make sure that if it would be someone else, that would be someone they chose.”
Biden has repeatedly stated he intends to seek reelection in 2024.