Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Unqualified for Munich Security Conference, Says Congressman Greg Steube

By Nicole Weatherholtz | Tuesday, 17 February 2026 08:08 PM EST

Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., blasted the decision to feature Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., at the Munich Security Conference on Tuesday, stating that the progressive lawmaker was unqualified to represent the United States at the forum.

During an interview on “Ed Henry The Big Take,” Steube expressed his shock upon seeing Ocasio-Cortez’s inclusion.

“What’s interesting is when I first saw her interview, my first question was: out of all the members of Congress, why in the world is AOC invited to the Munich Security Conference when she has no background in security?” he said.

Steube, who serves on the House Intelligence Committee, contrasted his extensive national security experience with Ocasio-Cortez’s record. He argued that she lacks the knowledge required for a global security forum or a record of serving on relevant House committees.

“She has no military background,” he added. “She doesn’t serve on Armed Services. I think she may be on Foreign Affairs, but what does she bring to the table, other than her socialist agenda, to speak at a security conference?”

According to Steube, concerns were immediately validated when Ocasio-Cortez was questioned about China and Taiwan.

“When they asked her a pretty simple question as it relates to Taiwan—what would our response be and what would China do—I think she can’t answer because she doesn’t know,” he said.

“It’s pretty fascinating how they take people like AOC, who have no background in this issue, and put her on the world stage. And we get exactly what the competency that she lacks on all those issues,” Steube added.

He said the episode highlights a broader problem for Democrats heading into the midterm elections, predicting voters will reject what he called “style over substance.”

When asked whether Republicans could “thread this together and win those midterms,” Steube responded confidently: “Yeah.”

He pointed to President Donald Trump’s economic agenda and what he described as real relief reaching Americans, particularly older adults in his district.

“The big beautiful bill is huge in my district,” Steube said, referring to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “I have one of the most elderly districts in the nation.”

“When these people are getting their Social Security refunds of $6,000, that is a huge bottom dollar to their finances for the year,” he continued, predicting voters would soon feel the difference.

“You’re going to start seeing the effects of that economically as we go into the next couple of months,” Steube said. “You’re seeing economic numbers we’ve never seen before in the history of our country, and that’s going to continue.”

By contrast, he stated Democrats are elevating figures like Ocasio-Cortez despite what he called glaring weaknesses.

“When you look at the opposition that the Democrats have,” Steube said, “they’re floating AOC as a presidential candidate. And she can’t answer simple questions in a conference.”