Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett is now reportedly facing mounting allegations from former aides and congressional staffers who say the freshman lawmaker has fostered a toxic work environment, prioritizing media appearances and personal branding over serving her constituents.
According to accounts reported by the New York Post, Crockett — already known for her combative behavior toward colleagues — “terrorizes” her staff during her rare appearances in the office, often screaming at aides over minor issues.
Several former staffers say the congresswoman is far more interested in cultivating her image as a social media personality than in addressing the needs of her district.
“She is laying around her apartment, won’t come into the office, and is really just indifferent to staff and will scream at them,” a former aide said. “She is never in the office and is very disengaged. She does her bulls— that goes viral, and then freaks out over the most random things.” Another source was blunter, describing Crockett as “all diva, no wow.”
Crockett reportedly has a staffer rent a Cadillac Escalade or another luxury vehicle each week to drive her the short distance to the Capitol, insisting on riding in the back as part of what aides called a “power play.”
High turnover has plagued her office, with employees quitting amid claims of erratic behavior and verbal abuse. Several former aides declined to speak on the record out of fear of retaliation.
One aide said Crockett once berated a legislative assistant to tears, yelling: “Do you really want to be here? And if not, you can leave!” Another — a young Black woman — claimed she was abruptly fired “for no reason.”
One former Democratic congressional aide expressed disappointment, noting that many young staffers of color had initially been enthusiastic about working for a Black woman in Congress. “But truly, the only person that she thinks about and cares about is herself,” the aide said. “The staff is really just an island unto itself, because she doesn’t care about the local issues happening in her district. She’s more focused on, ‘Get me on The View, get me on this late-night talk show.’”
Elaine Godfrey of The Atlantic, who profiled Crockett, recalled witnessing the lawmaker call and scold an aide over an “unclear note” on her schedule during an interview at the Waldorf. At another event, upon receiving a paper bag of food from a fundraiser, Crockett allegedly wrinkled her nose and remarked, “This looks like crap.”
The congresswoman is described as being “highly conscious” of her appearance, even using a glamour headshot of herself as her phone screensaver. She has said she should have been chosen to chair the House Oversight Committee because of her “large social media following.”
The allegations extend beyond her office behavior. In May, House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain accused Crockett on X of boarding a commercial flight ahead of two handicapped passengers. And after devastating floods in Texas killed at least 135 people, Crockett used an Instagram post to give a “shoutout” to her hairdresser for her new haircut.
Crockett also reportedly attempted to pressure The Atlantic to kill Godfrey’s profile after learning the journalist had contacted her colleagues for comment.
While Crockett’s defenders may argue she brings a bold, unapologetic style to Congress, her critics — including those who once worked closest to her — paint a portrait of a lawmaker consumed with image and influence, too often at the expense of the people she was elected to serve.
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