Bernie Sanders tries to end interview when asked if he wants Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the Senate

WASHINGTON ― Sen. Bernie Sanders stood up from his seat and tried to extremity an interrogation with ABC News erstwhile helium was asked Sunday whether helium would similar Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to articulation him successful the U.S. Senate.

"Right now, we have, arsenic I said, conscionable a full batch of radical successful the Congress. OK, Jonathan, thanks," Sanders, I-Vt., told ABC News' Jonathan Karl, arsenic helium got retired of his seat, successful effect to a question astir Ocasio-Cortez perchance moving for the Senate.

"You privation to bash nonsense, bash nonsense," Sanders added. "I don't privation to speech astir wrong the Beltway stuff."

More: AOC and Bernie Sanders gully thousands of radical astatine 'Fighting Oligarchy' rally successful Denver

Ocasio-Cortez's aboriginal has been the taxable of aggravated speculation arsenic she and Sanders, 2 governmental stone stars among progressives, person been drafting monolithic crowds arsenic they clasp a bid of rallies successful plaything districts. More than 30,000 radical attended a "Fighting Oligarchy" rally successful Denver connected Saturday held by the 83-year-old Sanders and 35-year-old Ocasio-Cortez.

Their circuit comes arsenic Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has faced a backlash from the near aft Schumer and 9 different Senate Democrats supported a Republican-crafted spending measure to avert a authorities shutdown earlier this month. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez were among those who criticized the decision.

More: Democrats heap connected disapproval of Chuck Schumer, with immoderate calling for him to measurement aside

Schumer is up for reelection successful 2028, and Ocasio-Cortez has agelong been considered a imaginable contender for the Senate ‒ adjacent successful a imaginable superior situation if Schumer decides to tally again.

Yet Ocasio-Cortez's sanction is besides mentioned arsenic a imaginable Democratic contender for president successful 2028. She could instrumentality the mantle arsenic the progressive campaigner from Sanders, who has said helium won't tally for president aft doing truthful doubly before. Ocasio-Cortez has not discussed her governmental plans publicly.

After getting up from his chair, Sanders returned to the interrogation spot and took 1 last question. He was asked by Karl whether helium volition tally for president again.

"Right now, I'm Vermont's senator. That's what I do. And I'm precise blessed to bash it," Sanders said. "I americium 83 years of age, and I'm tired."

Reach Joey Garrison connected X @joeygarrison.

This nonfiction primitively appeared connected USA TODAY: Bernie Sanders balks astatine 'nonsense' question astir AOC joining Senate