Tim Burchett

Republicans better watch out when Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez runs for president in 2028, according to a MAGA congressman who is good friends with the polarizing Democrat.

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., who affectionately refers to AOC as his “buddy,” said he was certain that Ocasio-Cortez will launch a presidential campaign.

“I have no doubt that she’s going to run for president,” Burchett told MAGA influencer Benny Johnson, “and the problem is, I think the Republicans created her.”

Burchett explained how the GOP built Ocasio-Cortez into a political star.

“They railed on her for being a bartender. You know, I’m Southern Baptist, I guess that works for me and my family,” Burchett said, referring to why she may not appeal to conservatives.

“But the rest of the country is like, ‘well, she worked,’” he said.

“And then we really don’t know what her future market is. And I’ll tell you this: nobody comes down to the House of Representatives and stands in the gallery and yells when Tim Burchett walks in,” the Tennessee congressman continued.

“But when AOC does, I’ve seen young people wave to her and get all giddy about it,” he said.

Burchett developed a friendship with Ocasio-Cortez at freshman orientation for incoming House members.

“I watched how we [Republicans] tried to capitalize on her,” Burchett said. “I remember somebody said, ‘my favorite freshman member is not any of you all, it’s AOC. And I thought to myself, ‘that is the dumbest thing, because you’re just making a martyr out of her.’”

Ocasio-Cortez has not made a decision about her political future, whether that be running for president or, as some observers have suggested, launching a primary campaign to unseat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.