Representative Jasmine Crockett from Texas has landed in hot water after a revealing profile exposed her sharp-edged approach to image control and staff interactions. The Atlantic’s deep dive into her rising political career has sparked a conversation about professionalism in politics.
According to the Daily Mail, journalist Elaine Godfrey was granted access to Crockett for a feature on her ascent as a progressive firebrand, only to have that access abruptly revoked. The Texas Democrat reacted with fury when Godfrey reached out to other House members for their perspectives, a standard practice in journalistic profiling.
Crockett’s response was to call Godfrey just days before publication, declaring she was “shutting down the profile and revoking all permissions.” This move, as many journalists have pointed out, flies in the face of how these stories are typically crafted, raising questions about her willingness to face scrutiny.
Godfrey’s piece didn’t shy away from detailing Crockett’s intense focus on self-presentation, noting that the lawmaker’s phone lock screen is a headshot of herself. Such a choice paints a picture of someone perhaps more enamored with personal branding than with the gritty work of governance.
The profile also captured Crockett’s interactions with staff, described as brusque, including scolding an aide over a scheduling note and dismissing a bag of food as looking like “crap.” These glimpses suggest a leadership style that might alienate more than inspire.
While Crockett has built a reputation for bold, unapologetic rhetoric, this obsession with control could undermine her credibility. If public service is about serving others, such self-centered tendencies risk turning off even her most ardent supporters.
As many as 33 of Crockett’s congressional colleagues declined to comment or ignored Godfrey’s requests for input on the profile. Staffers hinted that some view her as undisciplined, though they hesitated to criticize her on the record.
Journalists, however, were quick to call out Crockett’s reaction to the profiling process, with NBC’s Sahil Kapur stating, “That is not how any of this works.” The Bulwark’s Joe Perticone echoed the sentiment, advising profile subjects to never pull such a stunt.
This backlash from the press underscores a broader issue: political figures can’t expect to dictate the narrative when they step into the public eye. Attempting to muzzle a story only amplifies the perception of having something to hide.
Before the profile was shut down, Crockett boasted about her notoriety, embracing her willingness to “go low” in clashes with figures like Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. Her unapologetic stance was evident when she said, “I don’t second-guess shit,” regarding past controversial remarks.
One such remark included calling Texas Governor Greg Abbott “Governor Hot Wheels,” a jab she later claimed referenced his policy on busing migrants. Yet, such quips, while attention-grabbing, often distract from substantive policy debates that voters crave.
Crockett’s viral moments, like her insult toward Greene about a “bleach blond bad built butch body,” have fueled her social media following, which she lamented didn’t secure her a top spot on the House Oversight Committee. Her frustration over being passed over hints at an entitlement that doesn’t always align with the collaborative nature of politics.
Crockett has signaled interest in a potential Senate run against Republican John Cornyn when his seat is up for re-election, telling Godfrey, “My philosophy is: Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.” Such ambition is commendable, but it demands a level of discipline her recent actions might call into question.
The Atlantic’s profile, even cut short, revealed a politician hyper-aware of her image, from wearing nails painted with “RESIST” to her heavy lashes framing intense brown eyes. These details, while trivial on their own, compound the sense of a leader more focused on optics than on building bridges.
In the end, Crockett’s attempt to control the narrative backfired, drawing more attention to her flaws than her strengths as a lawmaker. If she hopes to climb higher in politics, learning to weather criticism, rather than silence it, will be the true test of her readiness.
