Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, drew heavy backlash Monday after a resurfaced video showed her claiming that law enforcement’s job is not to prevent crime.
The clip came from Crockett’s appearance on the "Grounded" podcast, which aired last week. In it, she said police are meant to “solve crimes, not necessarily prevent them.”
"I want to be clear that, like, law enforcement isn't to prevent crime. Law enforcement solves crime, OK? That is what they are supposed to do. They are supposed to solve crimes, not necessarily prevent them from happening per se," Crockett stated.
Crockett, one of the most outspoken progressives in Congress, made the comment while criticizing former President Donald Trump’s use of the National Guard and federal agencies to tackle crime in Washington, D.C. She argued the Trump administration had turned the government “hostile” against its own people.
"How is it that we have a government that is hostile towards its people? ‘Cause that’s what it is. Like, I mean, we are in the midst of a hostile government takeover, and it is our government that is like, bringing the hostility," she said.
The lawmaker’s remarks ignited sharp criticism online. Journalist Nick Sortor shared the clip on X, writing, "WTF?! Jasmine Crockett: ‘Law enforcement isn't to PREVENT crime! Law enforcement solves crime, okay?’ Just when I thought Democrats couldn't get any dumber, JASMINE CROCKETT opens her mouth again."
Others piled on. Scientist Matt Van Swol called it “one of the dumbest statements ever made.” Tulsi Gabbard’s deputy chief of staff Alexa Henning said it was “terrifying how stupid people get into higher office.”
Law enforcement officer Deon Joseph directly refuted Crockett’s claim. "Jasmine Crockett is wrong. It is our job to prevent crime. We just need more support. I didn’t sign up to just wait for people to be victimized," he posted, sharing his own video response.