Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Takes On U.S. Isolationism at Munich Summit as 2028 Presidential Race Looms
DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 21: U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-NY) speaks during a rally on March 21, 2025 at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado. Bernie Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are holding a series of rallies they are calling the "Fight Oligachy" tour and will include stops in Tucson and Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Chet Strange/Getty Images)
By Michael Katz | Friday, 13 February 2026 03:34 PM EST
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., a member of The Squad of progressive House Democrats, appeared Friday at the Munich Security Conference in a move some analysts view as an effort to bolster her foreign policy credentials ahead of a possible 2028 presidential run.
Ocasio-Cortez is part of a bipartisan U.S. delegation that organizers said includes more than 50 members of Congress. She was expected to serve as a counterpoint to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is set to deliver a major speech Saturday.
During a roundtable discussion on the rise of populism, Ocasio-Cortez did not directly address her presidential ambitions. When moderator Katrin Bennhold asked, “So, when you run for president, are you going to impose a wealth tax or a billionaire’s tax?” Bennhold’s question drew laughter from the room.
“I don’t think that anyone is waiting for any one president to impose a wealth tax,” Ocasio-Cortez said with a smile. “I think it needs to be done expeditiously.”
Ocasio-Cortez also criticized President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stating they were “looking to withdraw the United States from the entire world so that we can turn into an age of authoritarianism.” She added that they sought to “carve out a world where Trump can command the Western Hemisphere and Latin America as his personal sandbox,” while allowing “Russian President Vladimir Putin to saber rattle around Europe and try to bully our own allies there.”
Ocasio-Cortez’s appearance at Munich comes amid a government funding dispute that could imperil the Department of Homeland Security. She was scheduled to appear later Friday on a panel about the future of foreign policy alongside Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, another potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate.
Speculation about 2028 presidential bids also surrounds other Democrats attending the conference, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego.
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
