Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Democratic representative from Texas, has withdrawn from her bid for the House Oversight Committee leadership position following a series of controversial remarks that criticized her fellow Democrats, particularly Senators Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Her comments, which centered around the critique of the ‘Fighting Oligarchy Tour’ that Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have been conducting, have sparked significant debate within the party. She accused them of prioritizing personal brand over party unity, a claim that contributed to her ultimately stepping down from the race.
The Texas lawmaker’s criticisms came to light during a meeting with Oregon Rep. Maxine Dexter, where she was asked about her relationship with Ocasio-Cortez. According to a new profile in The Atlantic, Dexter was concerned that Crockett could have conflicts with party leadership, similar to Ocasio-Cortez’s initial struggles when she first came to Congress.
Crockett’s comments were not limited to her criticism of Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez. She also stated that unlike AOC, she did not want to ‘burn it down’ and was more committed to working to advance the Democratic Party as a whole. She did, however, acknowledge the ‘Fighting Oligarchy Tour’ as a ‘good idea,’ but felt it ultimately was constructed just to boost the brands of the two lawmakers. This assertion has been interpreted by some as a critique of the left’s focus on individual image over collective action.
Crockett’s decision to step down from the Oversight Committee race came after comments she made regarding supporting a potential Trump impeachment sent shockwaves through swing-district Democrats. Her previous history of making insults about Republicans and Trump also played a role in her withdrawal from the race.
She has a history of making controversial statements, including mocking wheelchair-bound Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as ‘Governor Hot Wheels’ in March. This comment, which led to an outpouring of public backlash, is one example of her tendency for fiery rhetoric. She has also had a notable confrontation with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., where both lawmakers engaged in a verbal battle that escalated into a verbal assault about each other’s appearance.
Crockett has also been known to sell merchandise based around the insults exchanged during her clashes with other politicians. This has further drawn criticism for her approach to political discourse. Crockett, Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders did not immediately respond to requests for comment.