AOC: People See Denied Health Claims as 'Act of Violence'

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., ignited a firestorm of controversy Thursday when she suggested that those shocked by people celebrating the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson don't understand the anger many Americans harbor against the country's healthcare system.

"This is not to say that an act of violence is justified, but I think for anyone who is confused or shocked or appalled, they need to understand that people interpret and feel and experience denied claims as an act of violence against them," Ocasio-Cortez told CBS News.

The progressive congresswoman went on to say that the real problem is societal inequality.

"Healthcare in this country has gotten to such a depraved state that people are living with things they should never have to live with," she said. "And this is not to say and this is not to participate in that glorification, but we need to understand that extreme levels of inequality in the United States yield high degrees of social instability."

Ocasio-Cortez's comments were quickly decried on social media by those who are disturbed by the phenomena of people condoning the murder and sympathizing with the accused killer, Luigi Mangione.

"No AOC, you don't get to justify violence," one user wrote on X.

"Violence is never the answer, full stop," another user posted. "Rationalizing such actions only deepens divisions and detracts from real solutions. The focus should be on reforming the system, not excusing tragedy. Leadership should aim to heal, not fan the flames of desperation."

Thompson's murder, which captured the nation's attention for days, sparked a nationwide manhunt as well as an unsettling trend online where people expressed admiration for the shooter.

Ocasio-Cortez's remarks come as copycat incidents have occurred following Mangione's arrest. Briana Boston, 42, of Florida, was arrested and charged with threatening a Blue Cross Blue Shield representative during a Tuesday phone conversation after police say she used the same words found on the bullet casings used in Thompson's murder.

Mangione, 26, is accused of fatally shooting Thompson, 50, on Dec. 4 as the CEO walked to a Hilton hotel in New York City to attend UnitedHealth Group's annual investor conference.

The University of Pennsylvania graduate was taken into custody at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, five days after Thompson's killing after an employee recognized him and called police.

A manifesto found in his possession mentioned UnitedHealthcare and railed against the corporate greed of health insurance companies.

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