Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., blasted the decision to feature Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., at the Munich Security Conference, telling Newsmax on Tuesday that the progressive lawmaker was unqualified to represent the United States at the forum.
On "Ed Henry The Big Take," Steube said he was stunned when he saw Ocasio-Cortez's participation.
"What's interesting is when I first saw her interview, my first question was out of all of 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 noted that he serves on the House Intelligence Committee, contrasted his own national security experience with Ocasio-Cortez's record, arguing 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. ... She doesn't serve on Armed Services," he said. "I think she may be on Foreign Affairs, but like, what does she bring to the table, other than her socialist agenda, to speak at a security conference?"
According to Steube, the concerns were quickly validated when Ocasio-Cortez was pressed on China and Taiwan.
"When they asked her a pretty simple question as it relates to Taiwan, and what would our response be and what would China do and all that kind of thing, 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 they put her on the world stage, and we got exactly what the competency that she lacks on all those issues," Steube added.
He said the episode underscores a broader problem for Democrats heading into the midterm elections, predicting that voters will reject what he characterized as style over substance.
Asked whether Republicans can "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 that voters will 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 said Democrats are elevating figures like Ocasio-Cortez despite what he called glaring weaknesses.
"When you look at the opposition that the Democrats have, I mean, they're floating AOC as a presidential candidate," Steube said. "And she can't answer simple questions in a conference."
GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:
NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!
Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.
You need to watch NEWSMAX today.
Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!
Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now
BEST OFFER:
Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.
Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.
Even get Jon Voight's special series and President Trump's comedy programs and much more!
Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.
Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!
Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com
Nicole Weatherholtz ✉
Nicole Weatherholtz, a Newsmax general assignment reporter covers news, politics, and culture. She is a National Newspaper Association award-winning journalist.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.