Ocasio-Cortez says there is a ‘risk’ to not seizing Trump’s assets

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY.) warned Sunday there is a "risk" to not seizing former President Trump's assets as he faces a looming deadline to post a bond in the $454 million judgment in his New York fraud case.

"I think that what we are dealing with politically is the much larger and much more grave and serious pressure of having this judgment against Donald Trump and him being in this degree of debt and the financial pressures that he is under and what he is subject to do in order to obtain those assets," Ocasio-Cortez said on CNN's "State of the Union."

"I actually think that there is risk in not seizing these assets and the open window that exists in him trying to secure these funds through other means," she said. "We've seen a lot of interesting transactions happening with Truth Social and other means. And there's a very real risk of political corruption."

The deadline for Trump to pay the staggering bond amount is Monday in the New York fraud case. If he fails to post a bond, he faces a risk of his assets being seized by New York Attorney General Letitia James — who he has continued to rail against in recent days.

Trump's lawyers said last week that it is “impossible” for him to secure a full appeals bond in that amount due to lack of cash on hand. Trump later claimed that he has nearly $500 million in cash ahead of the deadline.

Ocasio-Cortez emphasized Sunday that Trump should be treated the same as anyone else regarding whether his assets should be seized.

"I think Attorney General James has been handling this case with tremendous skill. It's ultimately up to her determination, but it is my belief that all people should be treated equally under the law. And if that seizure of assets would be pursued to any other American then Donald Trump should be treated the same," she said.