WATCH: After Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Attacked Teamsters For Not Endorsing Harris, Union President Sean O'Brien SLAMS The New York Progressive

Following the International Brotherhood of Teamsters' decision not to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 race this week, General President Sean M. O'Brien responded to criticism from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) after she said she was disappointed in his leadership of the organization. This is the first time the organization hasn't endorsed a candidate since 1996. 

"I'm very disappointed in Sean O'Brien's leadership. I have found it increasingly alarming all year. When the Teamsters are in trouble, who do they call? When we need to make sure that Teamsters' pensions are bailed out. When we need to make sure that they have a fair shake at the negotiating table with rail, it was Sean O'Brien calling Democrats for help," AOC said. "I find this to be very confusing because when you actually look at our locals, and we actually look at how these decisions are made, this is very much an aberration, I think."

In response to the criticism, O'Brien, who has met with Trump and Harris multiple times, said that AOC should focus on understanding why Teamsters in New York are going for Trump instead of criticizing his leadership. "She should maybe get into her district where it voted far-right Republican and maybe find out what the problem is. When I have a problem at a work site, and there is criticism, I get right in there and find out what the problem is," O'Brien said. "In our polling, New York, her district, voted overwhelmingly Republican in support of former President Trump. She may want to focus on her job instead of mine."

As previously reported by the DC Enquirer, the Teamsters leadership was unsatisfied with both candidates' answers to their questions on how they would fight against big business. However, the rank-and-file members were more willing to pick a side. According to an electronic member poll conducted by the organization from July 24-September 15, 59.6 percent of their membership preferred President Trump, while 34 percent preferred Vice President Harris, with 6.4 percent wanting another candidate. A phone poll from September 9-15 found similar findings, with 58 percent preferring Trump, 31 percent preferring Harris, six percent remaining undecided, and five percent saying they didn't know who they would vote for.

The Teamsters endorsed President Biden in the 2020 race but have endorsed Republicans in the past, including Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush. O'Brien's appearance at the Republican National Convention in July and a closed-door meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago earlier this year sparked speculation that the organization would endorse the GOP nominee. In addition to O'Brien's coziness with Trump, the Teamsters made a $45,000 donation on January 25 to the Republican National Committee convention fund.

According to The Hill, the organization waited far longer to announce its decision on an endorsement than any of America's other major unions, which all threw their support behind Harris, including the United Auto Workers, National Education Association, Service Employees International Union, and AFL-CIO.

WATCH:

.@Teamsters President Sean O'Brien reacts to @AOC attacking Teamsters for refusing to endorse Kamala: She should maybe get into her district — where Teamsters in her district voted overwhelmingly to support President Trump.

So, she may want to focus on her job instead of mine. pic.twitter.com/5jTNukaE7i

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 19, 2024

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