Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, suggested in a recent interview that individuals who commit crimes out of desperation should not automatically be considered criminals, as reported [1] by Fox News.
Her comments came during an appearance on Jonathan Van Ness’ “Getting Better” podcast, where the Texas Democrat reflected on her background as a public defender and civil rights attorney.
Van Ness asked Crockett what she wished people understood about crime in America, noting her legal experience working with defendants.
“I would imagine that you worked with a lot of people that were like wrong place, wrong time, like didn’t have a voice, like were falsely accused. What do you wish that people knew?” he asked.
Crockett said her experience representing indigent clients shaped her legislative outlook. “Understanding what ends up having people become criminally impacted really informs so much of what I do legislatively,” she said.
She went on to explain her distinction between a criminal act and someone she considers a “criminal.”
“So, when people are like, oh, you know, ‘crime is terrible!’ and yes, it is, right? Like, because when somebody goes out and commits a crime, they don’t typically, you know, say, ‘Well, I’m a D,’ or ‘I’m a R,’ or ‘I’m a I,’” Crockett said.
“It’s about, well, ‘How do you fix it? How do you make the community safer?’ And I do think that I’m in a unique situation because I was having the conversations with people that were going out and committing crimes. And so, I understood what was kind of pushing them there. And so, I do want people to know that, 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. Committing a crime can come for a lot of different reasons,” she continued.
Rep. Crockett claims “just because someone has committed a crime, it doesn’t make them a criminal.”
Definition: A criminal is a person who has committed a crime, which is an act prohibited by law and punishable by the legal system.
Jasmine is not that bright, to put it kindly. pic.twitter.com/W0f5N9LdjE [2]
— Media Lies (@MediasLies) September 18, 2025 [3]
Van Ness supported the argument, pointing to examples he described as “crimes of survival.” He said stealing necessities, like diapers for children, should be viewed differently than financial crimes such as tax evasion or corruption.
Crockett has previously linked her legal career to her policy positions. She has argued that illegal immigrants are not to blame for rising crime in major U.S. cities, instead placing responsibility on what she described as the “MAGA gang.”
She has also suggested that the purpose of law enforcement is not necessarily to prevent crime.
The Texas congresswoman’s comments add to her record of outspoken statements on criminal justice and public safety, underscoring the role her professional experience continues to play in her work on Capitol Hill.