Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, allegedly attempted to block the publication of a profile in The Atlantic after learning the journalist behind the piece had contacted other Democrats without her knowledge.
According to staff writer Elaine Godfrey, Crockett called just four days before the article was scheduled to publish, expressing frustration over the reporting process.
“She told me she was ‘shutting down the profile and revoking all permissions,’” Godfrey wrote in the article released Sunday.
Despite Crockett’s objections, the article was published and included comments from Crockett herself as well as several Democratic figures. Contributors included political strategist James Carville, Texas State Rep. Toni Rose, Reps. Julie Johnson (D-Texas) and Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), and progressive strategist Max Burns.
Godfrey noted that many Democrats declined to speak on the record. Out of the 33 lawmakers contacted—including 13 of Crockett’s colleagues on the Oversight and Judiciary Committees—most didn’t respond or declined to comment. According to the article, some of Crockett’s fellow lawmakers view her as undisciplined but avoid criticizing her publicly.
One anonymous Democratic staffer told The Atlantic, “She likes to talk. Is she a loose cannon? Sometimes. Does that cause headaches for other members? 100 percent.”
Crockett’s reaction to the reporting process sparked widespread ridicule from journalists who pointed out that contacting others for context is standard procedure in profile writing.
NBC News political reporter Sahil Kapur tweeted, “That is not how any of this works.”
Journalist Jim Stinson added, “Rep. Jasmine Crockett believes she can shut down a journalism profile. That’s how dumb she is.”
National Review’s Noah Rothman quipped, “Dang. That usually works, too!”
Jane Coaston, host of a Crooked Media podcast, wrote, “If you are being profiled, someone is going to reach out to other people about your profile. That’s how profiles work.”
The article also highlighted Crockett’s criticism of some high-profile progressives, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. While acknowledging the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour led by Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez as a “good idea,” Crockett said it tends to come across as self-serving.
“It kind of makes people be like, ‘Oh, it’s about them,’ right? Instead of the team,” she said.
Crockett, viewed as a rising star in the Democratic Party, has drawn attention from both her allies and critics—including President Donald Trump, who recently called her “serious trouble” while discussing federal funding for universities during a Fox News appearance.
