Rep. Jasmine Crockett stresses that she’s more than a “viral sensation.” But looking back at her first term in Congress, plenty of moments stand out.
She dressed down Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., with an alliterative flourish and tangled with Nancy Mace, R-S.C., over white privilege. Her committee work has spawned YouTube highlight reels and a “Saturday Night Live” parody. She spoke at the Democratic National Convention and has become a fixture on cable news.
Now she’s in her second term and preparing to counter the Trump administration. While Crockett fell short in her bid to lead the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, she says her approach is right for the times.
“I do think we have transitioned into a space where authenticity is valued so much more than people being proper or polite,” said the Texas Democrat, a former public defender who represents much of Dallas.
“And it doesn’t mean that I don’t have the ability to be proper or polite,” she added. “But it does mean that if my raw emotions get the better of me, most people take it just as that, and are happy to know there’s somebody who’s here because she is very passionate about the work and really believes in it, even if you disagree with me.”
And for anyone else who wants to take Greene’s tack and hurl insults Crockett’s way? “I mean, they’ve been warned,” she said.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Q: What’s a lesson you’ll take away from your first term?
A: I’ve learned to be my own advocate, for sure, and just how important it is to not leave my experiences checked at the door, but to be OK with bringing them into this space. And not only advocate for myself, but obviously my constituents. We’ve had some pretty tough battles, but we’ve won some things.
Q: You’ve had many viral moments, but what are some highlights for you?
A: One of them was in [the Agriculture Committee] as we were fighting about the farm bill. I was talking about who actually uses SNAP benefits more, and that is rural America, and making it clear that I’m doing the work of their constituencies, too. And I say “their” because the average Republican is coming from a rural-dominated area.
It’s not one of those uber-viral videos, but I think it’s a good way of summarizing how I do my fights. No. 1, they are thoughtful and encompassing of all Americans. No. 2, it was an educational opportunity, because so many people had no idea that’s actually what the numbers reveal. And No. 3, I was able to also let them know that as millionaires and billionaires are still getting whatever tax breaks they’re going to get, we [shouldn’t be] attacking people that get $6 a day to eat.
It was just one of those moments where I did a lot in five minutes. Another big moment was the first time I had to deal with DEI and explaining to them that just because I’m Black and/or a woman doesn’t automatically make me less than. I was laying out why I’m actually quite qualified, versus when we look at some of the résumés of my colleagues on that committee, they don’t measure up.
Q: What are your priorities for the new Congress?
A: To stay alive. You know, I say that jokingly, but there is a little bit of truth to it. The threats we receive on both sides are quite serious.
As I was looking through the language in the CR, I noticed there was an additional [millions of dollars] for security of the Supreme Court justices. And I was like, for nine people? I’m not saying they don’t necessarily need it. But we as members of Congress get an allotment of $10,000 per member. Not $10,000 a year, but $10,000 total to beef up your home security.
But overall, my priority is to minimize the harm and damage that the Trump administration will try to make on the American people, and even when I’m unable to stop some of that harm, to at least be educating people and letting them know, “This is why you’re about to feel this punch,” and making sure I’m an effective communicator.
As far as bipartisan things, I think we’ll be able to continue to work on legislation around fentanyl testing strips, especially since I’ve got a great partner in my senior senator out of Texas. With my background as a criminal defense attorney, I understand how the system treats addiction.
I’m hopeful we’ll continue on with community project funding, which allows me to inject resources where maybe they’re going to be needing more because of potential cuts. And I definitely still want to work on some criminal justice stuff. It’s just at the core of who I am. I don’t think we’ll get anywhere on voting rights, but there is legislation that has been bipartisan around eradicating crack-cocaine disparities.
Q: Coming into Congress, did you have any idea you would assume this role as a progressive fighter?
A: I’ve got the same kind of attitude and fighting spirit that I had in the state House, but I never imagined I would become somewhat of a household name.
I did anticipate that we would have to work really hard to make sure my district knew what I was doing. My predecessor had served for 30 years, and some people had known only her as a congresswoman. Would I be able to connect with 766,000 people, when coming from the state House, I represented 177,000? I was more concerned about that.
I never thought I would be this larger-than-life national voice on some of these issues. But I do think we have transitioned into a space where authenticity is valued so much more than being proper or polite.
Q: Are you ever concerned that the viral moments distract from the actual work?
A: I do get concerned. The group that matters most to me is obviously the people that sent me here. I’m bringing home federal resources, and we also do mobile office hours. We’ve been to every city in my district no less than three times since I’ve been in office, and one of my big things is constituent casework. I want them to always know that I’m doing the bread and butter, and make sure they don’t just know me as a viral sensation.
Q: Do you feel pressure now to come up with new alliterative insults? Are you workshopping those?
A: We only did it once in one committee hearing, and that is it. No, we will not be looking for alliterations. And I will tell you that after that incident, Republicans came up to me and said things like, “Good job,” or “I love your eyelashes.” Marjorie is not liked on either side of the aisle, so she is one of those that’s like, well, you had it coming. I don’t think anybody else would ever cross and try to actually directly attack me. If they do, I mean, they’ve been warned.
Some of their racist thoughts on things such as diversity, equity and inclusion, some of the hateful rhetoric they’re putting out about the LGBTQIA community or noncitizens — I see us clashing more over those kinds of things. We will spar over their thoughts and beliefs, but I don’t see them actually trying to disparage me.
Quick hits
Last book you read? “The Audacity of Hope,” a little while ago.
In politics, can the ends justify the means? Not always. But I do think sometimes, especially in this moment.
Your least popular opinion? That we can actually have a woman president before I die.
Best friend across the aisle? Probably Lance Gooden.
Favorite part of the job? The people, meaning my constituents.
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