The Squad (United States Congress) Explained

The Squad is an informal left-wing group of nine Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives.[1] The Squad is known for being among the most progressive and left-wing members of the United States Congress.

The squad was initially composed of four women under the age of 50, elected in the 2018 United States House of Representatives elections:

They have since been joined by Greg Casar of Texas, Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, and Delia Ramirez of Illinois following the 2022 elections. Two previous members, Jamaal Bowman of New York and Cori Bush of Missouri, joined following the 2020 United States House of Representatives elections, but will lose their seats after the 2024 election cycle, as they failed to win in their primaries.

Members have been supported by the Justice Democrats political action committee, and are on the left wing of the Democratic Party.[2] Ocasio-Cortez, Pressley, Bush and Bowman were initially elected to Congress after unseating incumbents in primary challenges. All but Lee represent safe seats with Cook Partisan Voting Index scores of at least D+20. All but Omar, Pressley, and Ramirez are currently or formerly affiliated with Democratic Socialists of America, with Bowman, Tlaib, and Bush being currently endorsed.

The Squad has been said to represent the advocacy of progressive policies supported by some in the younger political generation, such as Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and tuition-free college, which have sometimes clashed with their party's leadership.[3] [4] [5] [6] Ocasio-Cortez coined the "Squad" name in an Instagram post a week after the 2018 election. The photo, taken at a VoteRunLead event where the four founding members spoke, subsequently went viral.[7]

Name

The colloquial use of the word "squad" arose from East Coast hip hop culture and describes "a self-chosen group of people that hope you want to identify with them". Its use by Ocasio-Cortez signaled familiarity with millennial slang as a playful reference to youth social cliques.[8] Ocasio-Cortez's home borough of The Bronx was the origin of hip hop. Musical acts with "Squad" in their name and lyrics existed from the 1990s to the present.

The New York Times considers the Squad to be sui generis, not fitting neatly into the usual types of congressional groups: the gang (a bipartisan group focused on particular legislation) or the caucus (a pressure group based on special interests). It notes that the term, with a militaristic connotation, conveys values of self-defense, allegiance, and having "something important to protect". The moniker has been used pejoratively by some Republicans, but the four original women use the term self-referentially to express solidarity among themselves and with supporters.[9] For example, the Justice Democrats tweeted a quote from Pressley saying: "We are more than four people... Our squad includes any person committed to creating a more equitable and just world."[10]

The average age of the Squad was 38.3 years as of mid-2019, nearly two decades younger than the overall House average age of 57.6 years.[11]

History

2018 election

Ocasio-Cortez and Pressley unseated Joe Crowley and Mike Capuano, respectively, in primary elections. Omar won the seat previously held by Democrat Keith Ellison, who retired from the House to successfully run for Attorney General of Minnesota, and Tlaib won the seat once held by Dean of the House John Conyers, who resigned in December 2017 after nearly 53 years in Congress. At least three of the squad members provided fundraising and volunteer assistance during the election campaigns of other members.[12]

According to Pressley, she and Ocasio-Cortez had met before Freshman Orientation Week for the 116th United States Congress. During that event a week after Election Day, on November 12, 2018, all four members of the Squad participated in a livestreamed interview with Jodi Jacobson from Rewire.News, organized by VoteRunLead, and took a group picture. Ocasio-Cortez published the picture on Instagram, labeling it "Squad";[13] Pressley published the photo on her Instagram story the same day.[11] The next day, they had already attracted negative attention in conservative media, as Laura Ingraham of Fox News called them "the four horsewomen of the apocalypse". The four women, known for their social media savvy, regularly defend each other's policies and remarks.[8]

After publication, Ocasio-Cortez's Squad photo became a viral phenomenon, and public figures began using "The Squad" to refer collectively to the four women, with prominent examples of usage coming from New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd and White House counselor Kellyanne Conway. Dowd had used the term in an interview with House speaker Nancy Pelosi, who criticized the four members of the Squad collectively, although without naming them.[9] Another photo of the three members who served on the House Oversight Committee during Michael Cohen's testimony also got viral attention.[14]

On July 14, 2019, President Donald Trump tweeted that the members of the Squad should "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how it is done".[15] [16] The insinuation that people of color are foreign was widely viewed as racist; three of the four are American-born and the fourth (Omar) became a naturalized citizen in her youth.[17] On July 15, the four women responded in a press conference, saying "We are here to stay."[18]

On July 16, the House of Representatives condemned Trump's remarks in H.Res. 489.[19] Over the following days, Trump continued to attack the four congresswomen, saying at a July 17 campaign rally: "They never have anything good to say. That's why I say, 'Hey if you don't like it, let 'em leave, let 'em leave.' ... I think in some cases they hate our country."[20] While Trump was criticizing Omar, the North Carolina crowd reacted by chanting, "Send her back, Send her back!"[21] [22] Trump also falsely claimed that the four congresswomen had used the term "evil Jews"; none of them have been reported to have used the term.[23] The same day, the Republican party launched a political advertisement against the Squad, titled "Squad Goals: Anarchy" and focusing on the Squad's role in the Abolish ICE movement.[24]

A CBS News and YouGov poll of almost 2,100 American adults conducted from July 17 to 19 found that Republican respondents were more aware about the four Democratic congresswomen than Democratic respondents. The congresswomen have very unfavorable ratings among Republican respondents and favorable ratings among Democratic respondents.[25] In a New York Times opinion piece the historian Barbara Ransby wrote, "The squad has tilled new ground in reanimating a fighting spirit within the Democratic Party and revived its left flank."[26]

In late July 2019, the Illinois Republican County Chairmen's Association labelled the four congresswomen as the "Jihad Squad" in a Facebook post that was later deleted. Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider condemned "evoking race or religion as the basis for political disagreement".[27]

In August 2019, Israel blocked Omar and Tlaib from visiting the country, a reversal from the July 2019 statement from Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer that "any member of Congress" would be allowed in. A spokesman for Israeli Interior Minister Arye Deri attributed the ban to Omar and Tlaib's support for BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions). A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited that Omar and Tlaib only intended to visit the Palestinian Territories and had not scheduled a meeting with any Israeli politicians. Less than two hours before the ban, American President Donald Trump had tweeted that Israel allowing the visit would "show great weakness" when Omar and Tlaib "hate Israel & all Jewish people".[28] Omar responded that Netanyahu had caved to Trump's demand and that "Trump's Muslim ban is what Israel is implementing". Tlaib described the blockage as "weakness". American legislators from both the Democratic and Republican parties criticized the Israeli decision, and requested that Israel withdraw the ban.[29] [30] Trump applauded Israel's decision while continuing his criticism of Omar and Tlaib; he described them as "the face of the Democrat Party, and they HATE Israel".[31] A day after the ban was imposed, Tlaib was granted permission to enter Israel to visit her family on the condition that she "committed to accept all the demands of Israel to respect the restrictions imposed on her in the visit" and "promised not to advance boycotts against Israel during the visit." In response, Tlaib said that she would not visit Israel, tweeting that doing so would "stand against everything [she] believe[s] infighting against racism, oppression, and injustice."[32]

2020 election

Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, and Tlaib endorsed Bernie Sanders for president in 2020, while Pressley endorsed Elizabeth Warren.[33]

'The Squad Victory Fund', a joint action committee, was set up by the Squad to raise money for their individual campaigns and other progressive campaigns in July 2020.[34] [35]

All four members once again won the Democratic nomination for their districts in 2020. Pressley was unchallenged in her primary, while Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Omar defeated their respective challengers, including Tlaib's House predecessor (Brenda Jones) by large margins.[36]

On January 3, 2021, Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman joined the Squad at the start of the 117th United States Congress. Both successfully challenged incumbent Democrats in their primaries – Lacy Clay and Eliot Engel, respectively. Bush posted a photo on Twitter of herself, Bowman, and the four original Squad members with the caption "Squad up."[37] [38]

2022 election

All six members once again won the Democratic nomination for their districts in 2022. Pressley was once again unchallenged in her primary, as was Ocasio-Cortez, while Tlaib, Bush, and Bowman all garnered over 60% of the vote in their respective primaries. Ilhan Omar faced significant opposition from establishment oriented local officials in her district, most notably from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Her endorsement of a challenger during his 2021 reelection campaign drew the mayor's ire. Despite the backlash, Omar won the primary by a narrow 2.1% margin.[39] [40]

After Casar and Lee won their respective primaries, it was reported that the two incoming members would join the Squad as well.[41] Ramirez was identified in 2024 as a member of the Squad in campaigns by Justice Democrats and Progressive Democrats of America, embracing the label.[42] [43]

2024 election

Jamaal Bowman lost the Democratic primary to George Latimer, becoming the first member of the Squad to lose his seat.[44]

Cori Bush became the second member of the Squad to be defeated, losing the Democratic primary to Wesley Bell.[45]

Both were hurt by their stances against Israel, which resulted in AIPAC supporting their challengers. However, it was noted that both had vulnerabilities that the other seven did not, such as Bowman's censure for knowingly activating a fire alarm in Congress and Bush's alleged misuse of federal security money. Bush has threatened revenge against AIPAC once "untied from the strings of Congress." The 5th district race in Minnesota had no investment by AIPAC, despite incumbent Omar having a repeat opponent that garnered 48% of the vote in the 2022 race and would then receive 43% in 2024.[46]

Political positions

Members of the Squad generally hold political views considered to be on the left, such as views about US immigration detention facilities, Islamophobia, universal health care, human rights, the Israel–Palestine conflict, and climate change.[47] This section lists some beliefs that are common for members of the Squad.

Climate change

In November 2020, the then members of the Squad protested outside of the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee.[48] They were protesting President Joe Biden's lack of support of the Squad's Green New Deal, which would call for the elimination of all non-renewable energy by 2030.

Protesting Islamophobia

Members of the Squad, such as Ilhan Omar,[49] Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Rashida Tlaib[50] are outspoken against Islamophobia. In 2021, Ocasio-Cortez stated that "Islamophobia is far too often tolerated and ignored."[51]

Infrastructure Bill and Build Back Better Act

On November 5, 2021, all six members of the Squad voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act because they believed that moderate Democrats in the House and Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema would not vote for the Build Back Better Act. Nine Democrats in the House had previously refused to vote for the Build Back Better Act until the infrastructure bill was signed,[52] and both Manchin and Sinema had expressed opposition to key aspects of the Build Back Better Act.[53] After resolving certain disagreements, the infrastructure bill passed in the House with the votes of every Democrat (with the support of 13 House Republicans) except the members of the Squad.[54] [55]

Israel–Palestine conflict

According to CNN, members of the Squad are notable for "their criticism of the US relationship with Israel".[56] After the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, seven members of the Squad were among ten House Representatives to vote against a resolution saying the House supported Israel and that it opposed Hamas' attack on Israel; Pressley and Casar voted "present".[57] The war, which began on October 7 with the capturing of over 200 Israeli hostages[58] and the killing of possibly as many as 1,400 Israelis,[59] has been condemned as a terrorist attack by countries such as the US.[60] After the attacks, some Squad members were critical of the Israeli government; in a statement after the attack, Squad member Rashida Tlaib called Israel an "apartheid state".

On October 16, 2023, after Israeli government strikes in Gaza killed 3,000,[61] in reaction to these numbers, members of the Squad introduced a resolution calling for "an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine" to save as many lives as possible. The resolution was endorsed by groups including IfNotNow, the Institute for Middle East Understanding, and Jewish Voices for Peace.[62] Groups such as the American Jewish Committee said there was no need for a ceasefire, arguing that a ceasefire might place Hamas's hostages in danger and give Hamas time to regroup and rearm.[63]

Reform of Supreme Court

During a 2024 House Oversight Committee Democrats Discussion on Supreme Court Ethics [64] convened by Rep. Jamie Raskin and Ocasio-Cortez, Ocasio-Cortez stated that the US Supreme Court has been “captured and corrupted by money and extremism”, provoking a “crisis of legitimacy” that threatens the stability of US democracy, and that "House Democrats are committed to informing the public about why the court's conservative super majority is rolling back critical economic freedoms, civil rights, and environmental protections, and what we can do about it".[65] [66] Pressley renewed her calls for Supreme Court expansion, a binding code of ethics for justices, and investigations into Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh for "their acceptances of lavish, secret gifts from right-wing megadonors."[67] Lee stressed the need for Supreme Court Ethics Reform.[68]

During a speech on the House floor, Tlaib called for impeachment of Justices Alito and Thomas as they are "accepting bribes and doing the bidding of right wing extremists", as well as calling for expanding the Supreme Court and enacting term limits for justices.[69] Omar with fellow representatives introduced the Judicial Ethics Enforcement Act of 2024 for creating an Office of the Inspector General empowered to conduct investigations of alleged violations of the Code of Conduct for Justices of the Supreme Court.[70] In 2023, Bush and fellow representatives introduced Judiciary Act of 2023 calling for expansion of the Supreme Court, and she has also called for impeachment of Thomas and resignation of Alito.[71]

Membership

The four original members of the Squad had already been discussed as a group, even before the name was widely adopted.[9] [72] However, according to Mediaite, the news media currently uses "Squad" to refer to the group "almost exclusively".[73]

Overview of Squad members
MemberBornDistrictPrior experienceIn office

Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez

(age)
New York City, New York

(D+25)
Organizer,
Bernie Sanders for President
(2016)
2019 – Present

Ilhan Omar

(age)
Mogadishu, Somalia

(D+29)
Minnesota House of Representatives
(2017–2019)

Ayanna Pressley

(age)
Cincinnati, Ohio

(D+35)
Boston City Council
(2010–2019)

Rashida Tlaib

(age)
Detroit, Michigan

(D+23)
Michigan House of Representatives
(2009–2014)

Jamaal Bowman

(age)
New York City, New York

(D+25)
Schoolteacher, school principal2021 – 2025

Cori Bush

(age)
St. Louis, Missouri

(D+29)
Nurse, pastor, activist

Greg Casar

(age)
Houston, Texas

(D+21)
Austin City Council
(2015–2022)
2023 – Present

Summer Lee

(age)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

(D+8)
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(2018–2022)

Delia Ramirez

(age)
Chicago, Illinois

(D+20)
Illinois House of Representatives
(2018–2022)

Suggested members

After the 2020 election cycle, it was suggested that Marie Newman, who successfully challenged an incumbent member of the House of Representatives with Justice Democrats' backing, as well as Mondaire Jones, who was initially challenging an incumbent and subsequently won the primary after the incumbent announced her retirement, were thought of as potentially members of the Squad.[74] [75] [76] [77] Ritchie Torres was another person named as a potential member, but Torres said he had "no intention of joining The Squad".[78] [79] [80] [81]

Becca Balint and Maxwell Frost, who both won Democratic primaries in safe Democratic seats in 2022, were also named as potential Squad members but never officially joined the group.[82] [83] [84] [85] [86]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Robertson . Nick . 2024-08-07 . Cori Bush calls out AIPAC after defeat: 'I'm coming to tear your kingdom down' . 2024-08-08 . The Hill . en-US.
  2. News: Cornwell . Susan . Expanding the 'Squad:' U.S. liberals challenge moderate Democrats to move party left . Reuters . October 21, 2019 . Ocasio-Cortez [...] has since become the face of the 'Squad,' freshman Democrats aiming to move the party farther left on issues such as healthcare and climate change. . November 13, 2019 . November 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191113110414/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-democrats/expanding-the-squad-us-liberals-challenge-moderate-democrats-to-move-party-left-idUSKBN1X00ZY . live .
  3. News: Tensions Between Pelosi and Progressive Democrats of 'the Squad' Burst Into Flame. Davis. Julie Hirschfeld. July 9, 2019. The New York Times. July 16, 2019. en-US. 0362-4331. July 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190717112035/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/09/us/politics/nancy-pelosi-ocasio-cortez.html. live.
  4. News: Trump Defiant as Lawmakers Blast His 'Racist' Attacks on Four Congresswomen . Jeff . Mason . Susan . Cornwell . Reuters . July 15, 2019 . July 16, 2019 . October 20, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201020070647/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-democrats/trump-defiant-as-lawmakers-blast-his-racist-attacks-on-four-congresswomen-idUSKCN1U90H7 . live .
  5. News: After Trump Accuses Four Democratic Congresswomen of Hating U.S., They Fire Back. Davis. Julie Hirschfeld. July 15, 2019. The New York Times. July 16, 2019. en-US. 0362-4331. July 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190718130122/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/15/us/politics/trump-go-back-tweet-racism.html. live.
  6. News: A Look at the 'Squad' That Trump Targeted in Racist Tweets. Associated Press. July 15, 2019. The New York Times. July 16, 2019. en-US. 0362-4331. July 16, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190716033253/https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2019/07/15/us/politics/ap-us-trump-the-squad-glance.html. live.
  7. Web site: Ocasio-Cortez shares photo of new 'squad' on Capitol Hill. Folley. Aris. November 13, 2018. The Hill. en. July 16, 2019. July 16, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190716020644/https://thehill.com/homenews/House/416370-ocasio-cortez-shares-photo-of-her-new-squad-on-capitol-hill. live.
  8. News: 'It is like high school': Meet the House's freshman cliques . Melanie . Zanona . Sarah . Ferris . Heather . Caygle . March 4, 2019 . Politico . July 18, 2019 . July 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190730020254/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/04/house-democrats-freshman-cliques-1197530 . live .
  9. News: How 4 congresswomen came to be called "the Squad". Anna. North. Vox. July 17, 2019. July 17, 2019. July 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190718012255/https://www.vox.com/2019/7/17/20696474/squad-congresswomen-trump-pressley-aoc-omar-tlaib. live.
  10. justicedems . 1150885904308981760 . Justice Democrats . "We are more than four people. We ran on a mandate to advocate for and to represent those ignored, left out, and left behind. Our squad is big. Our squad includes any person committed to creating a more equitable and just world." -@AyannaPressley . July 15, 2019 .
  11. News: A Brief History of Squads. Arit. John. July 18, 2019. July 18, 2019. The New York Times. July 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190718174520/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/18/style/squad-aoc-trump.html. live.
  12. Web site: At a modest New York fund-raiser, 'the Squad' got its start . July 23, 2019 . Jazmine . Ulloa . . August 1, 2019 . August 1, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190801173915/https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2019/07/23/modest-new-york-fund-raiser-squad-got-its-start/ShcZ7PFXPKVkuMXSXVlyPN/story.html . live .
  13. News: 'The Squad': How Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar got their nickname. July 17, 2019. July 17, 2019. CBS News. July 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190717201159/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-squad-how-aoc-ilhan-omar-ayanna-pressley-rashida-tlaib-got-their-nickname/. live.
  14. Web site: This photo of Ocasio-Cortez, Pressley, and Tlaib from the Cohen hearing says it all. Gallucci. Nicole. February 28, 2019. Mashable. en. August 9, 2019. August 5, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190805064755/https://mashable.com/article/ocasio-cortez-pressley-tlaib-cohen-trial-photo/. live.
  15. News: Here are the 4 congresswomen known as 'The Squad' targeted by Trump's racist tweets. Sullivan. Kate. July 16, 2019. CNN. August 9, 2019. August 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190814072132/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/15/politics/who-are-the-squad/index.html. live.
  16. Web site: Trump's racist tirades against "the Squad," explained. Yglesias. Matthew. July 18, 2019. Vox. Vox Media. August 9, 2019. February 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224064923/https://www.vox.com/2019/7/15/20694616/donald-trump-racist-tweets-omar-aoc-tlaib-pressley. live.
  17. News: Republicans are quiet as Trump urges minority congresswomen to leave the country. Stanley-Becker. Isaac. July 15, 2019. The Washington Post. July 17, 2019. July 16, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190716094751/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/07/15/republicans-trump-quiet-minority-congresswomen-leave/. live.
  18. News: Lawmakers Respond To Trump's Racist Comments: We Are Here To Stay. Naylor. Brian. July 15, 2019. NPR. July 20, 2019. July 20, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190720023645/https://www.npr.org/2019/07/15/741771445/trump-continues-twitter-assault-on-4-minority-congresswomen. live.
  19. News: Fram . Alan . Superville . Darlene . House condemns Trump 'racist' tweets in extraordinary rebuke . July 16, 2019 . Associated Press . July 17, 2019 . July 20, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190720200311/https://apnews.com/a67df9b560fc416f8326827b36b0de81 . live .
  20. Web site: Reichmann . Deb . Trump slams congresswomen; crowd roars, 'Send her back!' . . July 18, 2019 . July 17, 2019 . July 18, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190718002755/https://apnews.com/eb7f2bf6a7bd41e282a95dcf3904a877 . live .
  21. Web site: Yen . Hope . Seitz . Amanda . Trump goes after Omar at rally . . July 18, 2019 . July 18, 2019 . July 18, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190718030722/https://www.apnews.com/e6690d5b6e8c496580e2dc0cc78c2f17 . live .
  22. Web site: McDonald . Scott . Trump Slams Progressive Democrat Women, Talks 'Bulls**t' at North Carolina Rally . . July 18, 2019 . July 17, 2019 . July 18, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190718034057/https://www.newsweek.com/trump-slams-progressive-democrat-women-talks-bullst-north-carolina-rally-1449883 . live .
  23. Web site: Trump falsely claims Democratic congresswomen spoke of 'evil Jews' . . July 20, 2019 . July 20, 2019 . July 20, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190720091335/https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-falsely-claims-democratic-congresswomen-spoke-of-evil-jews/ . live .
  24. News: Chasmar . Jessica . RNC's 'Squad Goals: Anarchy' ad highlights congresswomen's own comments . October 5, 2019 . The Washington Times . July 17, 2019 . August 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210819052008/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jul/17/rncs-squad-goals-anarchy-ad-highlights-congresswom/ . dead .
  25. Web site: Backus . Fred . Salvanto . Anthony . Most Americans disagree with Trump's "go back" tweets – CBS News poll . July 21, 2019 . . July 22, 2019 . July 22, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190722012230/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/most-americans-disagree-with-trumps-go-back-tweets-cbs-news-poll/ . live .
  26. News: 'The Squad' Is the Future of the Democratic Party. Barbara. Ransby. August 8, 2019. August 8, 2019. The New York Times. August 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190814095650/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/08/opinion/the-squad-democrats.html. live.
  27. Web site: Daughtery . Owen . Illinois GOP group shares, then deletes meme labeling minority congresswomen 'Jihad Squad' . July 21, 2019 . . July 22, 2019 . July 21, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190721235548/https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/454072-illinois-gop-chairs-shares-and-deletes-movie-poster-meme-labeling . live .
  28. Web site: Ahren . Rafael . And then Trump tweeted – Why Israel suddenly decided to bar 2 US congresswomen . . August 16, 2019 . August 15, 2019 . January 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210115234902/https://www.timesofisrael.com/and-then-trump-tweeted-why-israel-suddenly-decided-to-snub-2-us-congresswomen/ . live .
  29. Web site: Folley . Aris . Omar: Netanyahu implementing 'Trump's Muslim ban' by denying entry to Israel . . August 16, 2019 . August 15, 2019 . August 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816005029/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/457582-omar-netanyahu-implementing-trumps-muslim-ban-by-barring-us-from-israel . live .
  30. Web site: Banned congresswomen call decision 'insult to democracy' and a sign of weakness . . August 16, 2019 . August 15, 2019 . August 15, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190815231758/https://www.timesofisrael.com/banned-congresswomen-call-decision-insult-to-democracy-and-a-sign-of-weakness/ . live .
  31. Web site: Lee . Matthew . Miller . Zeke . AP Analysis: Trump uses Israel to fuel partisan fires . . August 16, 2019 . August 16, 2019 . August 15, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190815225139/https://apnews.com/80ddb437ab9f42d1807b3a97b8c9e07d . live .
  32. Web site: Liebermann . Oren . Rep. Rashida Tlaib says she won't visit Israel after being allowed to enter on humanitarian grounds . . August 22, 2019 . August 17, 2019 . August 22, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190822013740/https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/16/politics/rashida-tlaib-israel-visit-intl/index.html . live .
  33. Web site: Ayanna Pressley Endorses Elizabeth Warren for President. Herndon. Astead W.. November 6, 2019. The New York Times. November 6, 2019. January 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200109124638/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/06/us/politics/ayanna-pressley-endorses-elizabeth-warren.html. live.
  34. Web site: 'The Squad' Is Raising Money To Fight For Progressive Candidates. Goba. Kadia. July 1, 2020. BuzzFeed News. October 9, 2020. October 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201028034238/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kadiagoba/squad-fundraising-progressive-candidates-aoc-omar-tlaib. live.
  35. Web site: AOC, Omar, Tlaib and Pressley launch joint fundraising committee 'Squad Victory Fund'. Foran. Clare. Krieg. Gregory. July 1, 2020. CNN. October 9, 2020. October 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201001171554/https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/01/politics/squad-ocasio-cortez-tlaib-omar-pressley/index.html. live.
  36. Web site: Live election results: 2020 U.S. House races. October 24, 2020. Politico. en. October 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201027051302/https://www.politico.com/2020-election/results/house/. live.
  37. 1345804761380085760 . CoriBush . Bush . Cori . Squad up. . January 3, 2021.
  38. Web site: 'The Squad is Growing'And So is Its Power. November 5, 2020. The Appeal. November 5, 2020. November 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201105001126/https://theappeal.org/the-squad-is-growing-congress/. live.
  39. News: August 9, 2022 . Minnesota Fifth Congressional District Primary Election Results . en-US . The New York Times . January 14, 2023 . 0362-4331 . January 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230114043629/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/08/09/us/elections/results-minnesota-us-house-district-5.html . live .
  40. Web site: Faircloth . Ryan . August 4, 2022 . Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, other west metro mayors endorse Don Samuels over Rep. Ilhan Omar . February 3, 2023 . Star Tribune . en . February 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203155656/https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-mayor-jacob-frey-other-west-metro-mayors-endorse-don-samuels-over-rep-ilhan-omar/600195677/ . live .
  41. Voght . Kara . August 2, 2022 . Meet the Young Progressives About to Join the Squad . January 13, 2023 . Rolling Stone . en . August 3, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220803120546/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/greg-casar-summer-lee-delia-ramirez-house-progressives-1389261/ . live .
  42. Web site: Sunday: Squad Member Delia Ramirez, plus the Ceasefire Now! campaign. RSVP Now! . pdamerica.org . April 12, 2024 . Progressive Democrats of America . 27 June 2024.
  43. Web site: Join us as we launch the #ProtectTheSquad campaign and stand up to the corporate and right wing interests attempting to silence our movement. . Twitter.com . X . 10 April 2024.
  44. News: Fandos . Nicholas . 2024-06-26 . Bowman Falls to Latimer in House Primary in New York . 2024-06-26 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  45. Web site: Trudo . Hanna . 2024-08-07 . Cori Bush loses Missouri primary in latest blow to progressive 'squad' . 2024-08-07 . The Hill . en-US.
  46. Web site: Ngo . Emily . 2024-06-27 . The Squad could lose a second member. It’s not the warning sign you may think. . Politico .
  47. News: August 28, 2019 . Perspective The radical roots of 'the Squad' . en-US . Washington Post . October 29, 2023 . 0190-8286.
  48. Web site: 20 November 2020 . Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, expanded 'Squad' demand Biden deliver on Green New Deal . October 29, 2023 . ABC News . en.
  49. Web site: December 1, 2021 . Rep. Omar Remarks on Islamophobia Representative Ilhan Omar . October 29, 2023 . omar.house.gov . en.
  50. Web site: Metzger . Bryan . Rep. Rashida Tlaib says she was 'naive' for not understanding 'how bipartisan Islamophobia is in Congress' . October 29, 2023 . Business Insider . en-US.
  51. Web site: Ocasio-Cortez slams McCarthy's 'Ku Klux Klan caucus' after Omar death threat . Mastrangelo . Dominick . . December 1, 2021 . November 16, 2023 .
  52. News: Sprunt. Barbara. August 13, 2021. 9 Moderate Democrats Threaten To Derail Pelosi's Infrastructure And Budget Plan. en. NPR. December 13, 2021. December 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211214000335/https://www.npr.org/2021/08/13/1027371749/moderate-house-democrats-infrastructure-budget-vote-pelosi. live.
  53. Web site: Brownstein. Analysis by Ronald. 'A lot to balance': How Manchin, Sinema are blocking a new Democratic consensus. December 13, 2021. CNN. November 2, 2021. December 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211214000334/https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/02/politics/manchin-sinema-democrats-biden-bill/index.html. live.
  54. Web site: Grayer. Annie. November 5, 2021. These 6 House Democrats voted against the infrastructure bill. These 13 Republicans voted for it.. November 6, 2021. CNN. November 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211110030630/https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/05/politics/infrastructure-bill-house-democrats-voted-no-republicans-voted-yes/index.html. live.
  55. Web site: Stancil. Kenny. November 6, 2021. 'Foolishness': House Passes Infrastructure Bill But Postpones Build Back Better Act. November 6, 2021. Common Dreams. en. November 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211106193844/https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/11/05/foolishness-house-passes-infrastructure-bill-postpones-build-back-better-act. live.
  56. Web site: Sullivan . Kate . July 16, 2019 . Here are the 4 congresswomen known as 'The Squad' targeted by Trump's racist tweets CNN Politics . October 28, 2023 . CNN . en.
  57. Web site: Oshin . Olafimihan . 2023-10-26 . These 9 Democrats voted against resolution backing Israel, condemning Hamas . 2023-10-29 . The Hill . en-US.
  58. Web site: Motamedi . Maziar . What do we know about Israeli captives taken by Hamas and their release? . 2023-12-28 . Al Jazeera . en.
  59. Web site: 2023-10-27 . These numbers show the staggering toll of the Israel-Hamas war . 2023-12-28 . AP News . en.
  60. Web site: U.S. Helps Israel Defend Against Hamas Attacks . October 29, 2023 . U.S. Department of Defense . en-US.
  61. Web site: 2023-11-06 . Israeli forces cut off north Gaza to isolate Hamas as an advance on the urban center looms . 2024-01-05 . AP News . en.
  62. Web site: Reps. Bush, Tlaib, Carson, Lee, Ramirez Lead Colleagues in Call for Immediate Ceasefire . 2024-01-05 . bush.house.gov . en.
  63. Web site: 2023-11-14 . 6 Reasons Why an Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Is Not the Right Path Forward AJC . 2023-12-28 . www.ajc.org . en.
  64. Web site: House Oversight Committee Democrats Discussion on Supreme Court Ethics C-SPAN.org . 2024-06-13 . www.c-span.org.
  65. News: Gambino . Lauren . 2024-06-12 . US supreme court in 'crisis of legitimacy' says AOC at House oversight round table . 2024-06-13 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  66. Web site: 2024-06-06 . Ranking Member Raskin and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez to Host Roundtable on the Ethics Crisis at the Supreme Court The Committee on Oversight and Accountability Democrats . 2024-06-13 . oversightdemocrats.house.gov . en.
  67. Web site: Acevedo . Dagoberto . 2024-06-12 . VIDEO: At Hearing on Supreme Court Ethics, Pressley Outlines Damning Link Between Project 2025 and Justices' Corruption . 2024-06-13 . Ayanna Pressley . en-US.
  68. Web site: Rep. Lee Stresses Need For Supreme Court Ethics Reform in Oversight Democrats Roundtable . 2024-06-13 . Summer Lee . en.
  69. Web site: Burke . Melissa Nann . Rep. Rashida Tlaib calls for two Supreme Court justices to be impeached . 2024-06-13 . The Detroit News . en-US.
  70. Web site: 2024-04-19 . Reps.Omar, Raskin, and Stansbury Push For Supreme Court Accountability With New Legislation Representative Ilhan Omar . 2024-06-13 . omar.house.gov . en.
  71. Web site: Congresswoman Bush Statement Calls for Justice Alito to Resign . 2024-06-13 . bush.house.gov . en.
  72. News: The New Class Of Congresswomen Is Already Taking D.C. By Storm. Andrea. González-Ramírez. November 14, 2018. July 17, 2019. Refinery29. "Their shared identity as young women from underrepresented communities and smart politicians pushing the Democratic party to the left has created an unbreakable bond.". May 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190504123131/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/11/216940/women-elected-to-congress-orientation-week-alexandria-ocasio-cortez. live.
  73. News: AOC's 'Squad': Who In the Media is to Blame for Making This Term a Thing?. Colby. Hall. July 16, 2019. July 19, 2019. Mediaite. July 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190717143415/https://www.mediaite.com/politics/aocs-squad-who-in-the-media-is-to-blame-for-making-this-a-thing/. live.
  74. News: Dovere. Edward-Isaac. July 17, 2020. Jamaal Bowman Is Ready to Join the Squad. December 11, 2020. The Atlantic. en. August 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200828095637/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/07/jamaal-bowman-eliot-engel-squad/613597/. live.
  75. Web site: The Rise of the Left (With Mondaire Jones). June 25, 2020. Hasan. Mehdi. Grim. Ryan. Jones. Mondaire. December 11, 2020. The Intercept. en. August 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200822004136/https://theintercept.com/2020/06/25/deconstructed-podcast-mehdi-hasan-mondaire-jones-left/. live.
  76. News: Nichols. John. August 6, 2020. 2020 Is a Great Year for #SquadPolitics. Just Ask Cori Bush and Rashida Tlaib.. en-US. The Nation. December 11, 2020. 0027-8378. August 20, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200820182646/https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/cori-bush-tlaib/. live.
  77. News: Herndon. Astead W.. August 5, 2020. Progressive Victories Signal Staying Power for the Movement. en-US. The New York Times. December 11, 2020. 0362-4331. September 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200901030048/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/us/politics/election-primary-results.html. live.
  78. Web site: A new generation of Black progressives has been elected to Congress. November 4, 2020. November 5, 2020. November 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201104143614/https://www.vox.com/2020/11/4/21538719/cori-bush-ritchie-torres-jamaal-bowman-election-results. live.
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  80. News: Samuels. Ben. 'Pro-Israel Progressive' Ritchie Torres Won't Join AOC's Squad Due to BDS Stance. December 21, 2020. January 23, 2021. January 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210123093320/https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-pro-israel-progressive-ritchie-torres-won-t-join-aoc-s-squad-due-to-bds-stance-1.9389672. live.
  81. News: Levine. Jon. Pro-Israel progressive Ritchie Torres says he won't join AOC's 'Squad'. December 19, 2020. January 23, 2021. January 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210123093326/https://nypost.com/2020/12/19/pro-israel-progressive-ritchie-torres-joining-congress-not-squad/. live.
  82. Web site: Cullen . Kevin . July 28, 2022 . Will the next member of 'The Squad' come from Vermont? . August 11, 2022 . BostonGlobe.com . en-US . August 11, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220811011037/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/28/metro/will-next-member-squad-come-vermont/ . live .
  83. Voght . Kara . August 2, 2022 . Meet the Young Progressives About to Join the Squad . August 3, 2022 . Rolling Stone . en-US . August 3, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220803120546/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/greg-casar-summer-lee-delia-ramirez-house-progressives-1389261/ . live .
  84. Web site: Sanders . Austin . March 4, 2022 . Greg Casar's Landslide Win Virtually Ensures TX-35 Seat . May 23, 2022 . Austin Chronicle . en-US . May 23, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220523160430/https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2022-03-04/greg-casars-landslide-win-virtually-ensures-tx-35-seat/ . live .
  85. Voght . Kara . May 21, 2022 . Summer Lee Is Coming to Congress -- and to The Squad . May 23, 2022 . Rolling Stone . en-US . May 23, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220523160430/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/pennsylvania-primary-summer-lee-the-squad-1355051/ . live .
  86. Web site: Sammon. Alexander. A New "Squad" Is Heading to the House. Slate. November 9, 2022. November 11, 2022. November 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221111050156/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/11/progressives-midterms-maxwell-frost-delia-ramirez-summer-lee-greg-casar.html. live.