Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has come under fire from a conservative watchdog group for attending the 2021 Met Gala.
Ocasio-Cortez was accused of a violation of ethics on Tuesday (September 14) by the American Accountability Foundation, which the Independent reports is an organization that exists to hold public representatives accountable.
The Office of Congressional Ethics was also asked by the group to launch its own investigation into AOC's attendance.
The politician went viral after attending the exclusive event in a white dress that was emblazoned with the bold statement: "Tax the rich".
However, as the event costs $35,000 to attend and is largely for the rich, she was criticized for being there as a politician.
The group's founder Thomas Jones said Ocasio-Cortez "violated" the gift rule, which prevents politicians from accepting free tickets to events "without having a permissible exemption to allow the acceptance of the lavish gift."
"We filed a formal complaint against AOC for her blatant ethics violations at the NYC Met Gala. Her $35,000 ticket and custom designer gown fail to meet any definition of 'official duties', and warrant a full investigation into her attendance," the group revealed on Twitter.
"Without prompt investigation and enforcement of Congressional Rules, the American people are likely to lose faith in the ability of Congress to police its members," the letter said.
AOC, meanwhile, took to Twitter to hit back at any critics of her 'Tax the Rich' dress or anyone who believes she was wrong to attend the event.
She wrote: "And before haters get wild flying off the handle, New York elected officials are routinely invited to and attend the Met due to our responsibilities in overseeing and supporting the city's cultural institutions for the public. I was one of several in attendance in this evening."
The Independent reports that she also addressed the criticism she knew she would receive on Instagram: "I thought about the criticism I'd get, but honestly I and my body have been so heavily and relentlessly policed from all corners politically since the moment I won my election that it's kind of become expected and normalized to me."
According to a statement from an event spokesperson, the congresswoman was given a seat at the event as a "guest of the museum."
