U.S. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) have raised concerns over recent hangings of Black individuals in the U.S., calling for a federal investigation. However, most of the incidents have been classified as suicides.
Ocasio-Cortez and Pressley sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel, expressing alarm over what they termed “modern-day lynchings” and urging investigations into “suspicious deaths.”
They referenced 10 reported hangings of Black people in 2026, calling for a thorough investigation into each case, which they believe raises suspicion of foul play due to the historical context of lynching in the U.S.
The representatives asserted the need for transparency in these investigations and suggested the use of the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, making lynching a federal hate crime.
The claims from Ocasio-Cortez and Pressley have been met with skepticism, as fact-checkers note that nearly all reported cases of hanging have been ruled suicides by local authorities.
Among the reported cases, only one hanging is being treated as a homicide, involving a woman from Mississippi, with a suspect detained. Another case is under investigation but has not been confirmed as a lynching.
Ocasio-Cortez’s press office responded to criticism by emphasizing the importance of conducting independent autopsies and comprehensive investigations into the cases.
The letter from Ocasio-Cortez and Pressley has garnered support from nearly 60 Democrats, showcasing significant concern among some lawmakers.
While Representative Ocasio-Cortez and her colleagues are advocating for detailed federal investigations into hangings of Black individuals, the current evidence largely contradicts claims of racial motives behind these incidents, as most have been classified as suicides. As the debate continues, calls for transparent investigations persist amidst public scrutiny of the lawmakers' efforts.
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