Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, the lone Republican representative from New York City, has called on House Speaker Mike Johnson to evaluate the national security implications of granting intelligence access to two newly elected Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members. Malliotakis stated that the candidates, who won their respective primaries in deep-blue New York City districts, pose a potential risk to sensitive information if seated in Congress.
The upcoming class includes Darializa Avila Chevalier, who defeated Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Adriano Espaillat, and New York State Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, who won an open seat previously held by retiring Rep. Nydia Velazquez. Both victories are widely considered effectively decisive given the partisan lean of their districts, ensuring their likely entry into the House in January.
What the Right Is Saying
Rep. Malliotakis described the incoming lawmakers as "extreme," "radical," and "dangerous," arguing that their policy positions are incompatible with national security interests. "I think they want to undermine the country," Malliotakis said. "Anybody whose campaign is based on no jails, no cops, no borders, is a real detriment to the country."
Malliotakis specifically questioned the appropriateness of granting these members access to classified intelligence. "These are the people that are going to have access to intelligence? I think [Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.] really needs to look at that and see if they're a national security threat," she stated. She further cited a social media post by Chevalier, in which Chevalier wrote, "I forgot to get napkins, so I just wiped my hand on the American flag behind me," as evidence of a lack of respect for national symbols.
If Republicans win the House majority in November, Malliotakis urged Speaker Johnson to limit which committees the pair could serve on. "I do have a lot of concern about these members having access to sensitive information and intelligence that if put in the wrong hands, could be a detriment to our national security," Malliotakis said. She noted that despite her own background as the child of Greek and Cuban immigrants, she does not see where they would find common ground.
"They are so extreme, I don't see where we would find common ground," Malliotakis said. "I don't think I could work with somebody who wipes her hands on the American flag because she doesn't have a napkin."
What the Left Is Saying
The elected candidates have not publicly responded to Malliotakis's specific comments regarding intelligence access, according to Fox News Digital.
However, their campaign platforms highlight a distinct ideological divergence from the current congressional leadership. Both Chevalier and Valdez have advocated for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and have characterized Israel's military operations in Gaza as genocide.
The Democratic Socialists of America, the organization with which both lawmakers are affiliated, has historically advocated for structural changes to U.S. governance, including the potential replacement of the U.S. Constitution, the abolition of the Supreme Court, and the dismantling of the prison and police systems.
Supporters of this progressive wing argue that these positions reflect a democratic mandate to address systemic inequalities and foreign policy concerns that establishment Democrats have failed to adequately address.
What the Numbers Show
The two districts represented by Chevalier and Valdez are among the most Democratic in the nation, making their primary victories the de facto determinant of the general election outcome. The Democratic Party is currently engaged in significant internal competition, with the DSA-aligned candidates defeating establishment-backed incumbents or open-seat favorites in high-profile contests.
The DSA platform explicitly calls for the abolition of ICE, the police, and the prison system, as well as the restructuring of the Supreme Court. These positions contrast sharply with the platforms of most sitting members of Congress from both major parties. The debate over intelligence access hinges on the interpretation of national security risks versus the democratic right of elected officials to serve on committees, a tension that has emerged as a focal point for conservative criticism of the new class.
The Bottom Line
The scrutiny of intelligence access for the incoming DSA members signals a potential escalation in ideological conflict within the House of Representatives, regardless of which party controls the chamber in January. Speaker Johnson's response to Malliotakis's request could set a precedent for how committee assignments and security clearances are handled for members with non-traditional or anti-establishment platforms.
With the general election approaching, the focus will remain on whether House leadership imposes restrictions on these members' committee roles or if the new lawmakers are seated with full access to classified briefings. The issue underscores the widening gap between the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and conservative leadership, with national security serving as a primary point of contention.