Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is making waves in Washington once again—this time by dragging the Democratic Party even further to the left. On Wednesday, she brought her newly endorsed ally Zohran Mamdani, a radical Democratic Socialist running for mayor of New York City, on a promotional tour through the nation’s capital. And while AOC proudly paraded him around, key Democrat leaders wanted nothing to do with it.

Originally set to headline a “Communication and Organizing Skillshare Breakfast” right next to Democratic National Committee headquarters, the event was abruptly relocated at the last minute. The DNC quickly distanced itself, claiming it had no connection to the gathering. The venue change only added to the sense that the Democrat establishment wanted to stay far away from Mamdani—and the political chaos he represents.

AOC, undeterred, insisted the breakfast was just a chance for lawmakers to “hear what he has to say about making New York affordable for working people.” She claimed she hoped her colleagues would come around once they got to know him. But the fact that Democratic leadership literally refused to be in the same building with him speaks volumes.

New York’s old guard is clearly spooked. While far-left figures like Reps. Jerry Nadler and Adriano Espaillat joined AOC in backing Mamdani, the silence from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was deafening. Both are reportedly planning meetings with Mamdani, but neither has publicly endorsed him. And Rep. Tom Suozzi, also from New York, has already voiced strong opposition.

Outside the city, fringe-left Democrats had fewer qualms. Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal called Mamdani “inspiring,” and California’s Ro Khanna dubbed him “impressive.” But those endorsements carry far less political risk than one from a New York incumbent with real skin in the game.

Rep. Nydia Velasquez, whose district includes parts of NYC, did throw her support behind Mamdani. She gushed that it’s “just beautiful to have someone who is so authentic, you know, that money cannot buy that.” That authenticity might thrill AOC’s base, but it’s causing near-panic among moderate Democrats trying to keep their party from sliding into socialist territory.

AOC and Mamdani aren’t hiding their intentions. As more establishment Democrats cower or stay silent, it’s becoming clearer that the party’s fringe isn’t just knocking at the door—it’s already moving in. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich predicted that even Schumer and Jeffries will eventually cave and endorse Mamdani, not out of support, but out of fear. “The radical wing isn’t a wing anymore,” he warned. “It is the party.”

If the Democratic establishment refuses to stand up to its own extremists, it won’t just be internal dysfunction—it’ll be a complete takeover. AOC’s protégé is the face of that movement, and the message to Democrats is clear: Get on board, or get out of the way.