Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), known for her strong left-wing stance, did not take her recent primary defeat quietly. Following her loss to St. Louis County District Attorney Wesley Bell, Bush launched a vehement attack on AIPAC, the pro-Israel PAC that heavily supported Bell’s campaign. In her fiery response, Bush vowed to dismantle AIPAC’s influence, declaring, “I’m coming to tear your kingdom down.”

Bush’s defeat marks the second loss for a Squad member this election cycle, following Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s (D-NY) earlier primary defeat. Despite her loss, Bush expressed that her departure from Congress will enable her to intensify her activism. She suggested that being removed from office frees her to take more radical actions, criticizing AIPAC and vowing to continue her fight against what she sees as undue influence on American politics.

Bell’s campaign, significantly backed by AIPAC, criticized Bush’s views on the Israel-Palestine conflict as lacking depth. According to reports from Sludge, AIPAC’s super PAC, United Democracy Project, invested over $7 million to help Bell win his primary. In response, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) also expressed concerns about AIPAC’s role in Democratic primaries, suggesting that its influence is divisive and largely Republican-funded.

AIPAC defended its actions, asserting that it supports a broad spectrum of Democratic candidates and leadership. The organization maintains that its involvement is consistent with progressive values and bolsters U.S.-Israel relations. Bush’s loss has been met with mixed reactions, including support from some members of Congress who view her defeat as a positive shift in political dynamics.