ELECTION 2020

[Rootilda]

"During her remarks at the DNC on Tuesday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez officially endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders as the Democratic Party's presidential nominee — a move that some on social media claimed was an attempt to divide the party and the country.

However, Ocasio-Cortez's endorsement was simply a procedural motion and something that DNC organizers had built into the convention schedule.

When Sanders dropped out of the presidential race in April, former Vice President Joe Biden and his campaign allowed Sanders to hold on to his delegates as a sign of party unity. As a result, Sanders' delegates could officially cast their votes for the Vermont Democratic Socialist at the convention.

Convention rules stipulate that any candidate receiving delegate votes at the convention be formally endorsed for the party's nomination prior to ballots being cast. On Tuesday, both Ocasio-Cortez and former United Auto Workers Union President Bob King formally endorsed Sanders ahead of the roll call vote.

In fact, both King's and Ocasio-Cortez's speeches were listed on the DNC's Tuesday night schedule under the heading, "Nominating Speeches for Sen. Bernie Sanders."

Ocasio-Cortez herself later clarified her statement in a tweet.

"I extend my deepest congratulations to @JoeBiden - let's go win in November," she said.