Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett recently made headlines for comments during an interview with Netflix personality Jonathan Van Ness, where she discussed her views on crime and the criminal justice system.
Crockett, who has a background in law and formerly worked within the criminal justice system, said her professional experiences have shaped her legislative priorities and perspective on crime.
🚨NEW: Jasmine Crockett claims committing crimes *doesn’t* make person “CRIMINAL” — says it depends on “MINDSET”🚨
“Just because someone has committed a crime, it doesn’t make them a criminal.”
“That is completely different. Being a criminal is more so about your mindset.”… pic.twitter.com/9HmuF82XOD
— Jason Cohen 🇺🇸 (@JasonJournoDC) September 18, 2025
“It’s just understanding what ends up having people become criminally impacted really informs so much of what I do legislatively,” Crockett said. “When people say, ‘Oh, you know, crime is terrible’—yes, it is. But typically, when someone commits a crime, they’re not thinking about political affiliation. It’s more about how we fix the problem and make communities safer.”
The congresswoman also made a distinction between committing a crime and being a “criminal,” arguing that the label is more reflective of a person’s mindset or intent rather than a single action.
“Just because someone has committed a crime, it doesn’t make them a criminal,” Crockett explained. “That is completely different. Being a criminal is more about your mindset. Committing a crime can come from a lot of different reasons.”
🚨 DISGUSTING BEHAVIOR: Rep. Jasmine Crockett just called Kayla Hamilton, a young girl murdered by an illegal alien, a “random dead person.” pic.twitter.com/pSqBF0RAc5
— House Judiciary GOP 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryGOP) September 10, 2025
Crockett’s remarks have drawn criticism from political opponents and some commentators, who view her statements as downplaying the seriousness of criminal behavior.
The congresswoman also faced backlash this week for her comments during a House Judiciary Committee hearing concerning legislation named after Kayla Hamilton, a 20-year-old autistic woman who was murdered in 2022 by a member of the MS-13 gang. Crockett opposed the proposed legislation aimed at curbing gang violence, and questioned the practice of naming bills after crime victims, calling it “throwing a random dead person’s name on something.”
Her comments have been met with strong condemnation from Republican lawmakers and others, who have accused her of being dismissive of victims of violent crime.