Texas Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett reportedly threatened to block The Atlantic from publishing a profile about her after learning that reporter Elaine Godfrey had contacted several of her congressional colleagues without her prior approval.
According to the published profile, Godfrey reached out to numerous Democratic lawmakers—including members of the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees—to gather perspectives on Crockett.
Just four days before the article’s release, Crockett allegedly reacted with frustration upon discovering that these interviews had occurred without her knowledge. She called Godfrey and declared that she was “shutting down the profile and revoking all permissions,” according to the journalist.
“As for her colleagues, four days before this story was published, Crockett called me to express frustration that I had reached out to so many House members without telling her first. She was, she told me, ‘shutting down the profile and revoking all permissions,’” Godfrey wrote.
The article offered several eye-opening details about the congresswoman:
- Her phone lock screen features a photo of herself.
- She believed she should lead the Oversight Committee because of her significant social media following.
- She attempted to cancel the article after learning about the outside interviews.
Thirteen members of the Oversight and Judiciary Committees, along with 20 other Democrats, reportedly declined to comment or did not respond. Among those who did speak, Rep. Julie Johnson of Texas acknowledged that although some colleagues don’t “necessarily agree with her aggressive communication style,” she is “thrilled” with Crockett.
However, senior staffers from three Democratic offices told The Atlantic that many of Crockett’s colleagues see her as “undisciplined,” though few are willing to express those views openly.
The article also describes Crockett as highly focused on her appearance. In one instance during the interview at Atlanta’s Waldorf hotel, she reportedly berated a staffer for an “unclear note” in her schedule and chastised another for bringing her a paper bag of food that she claimed looked like “crap.”
Crockett also recounted that during her time at Rhodes College, she and other Black students received “racist threats.” She claimed a Black female attorney from the Cochran Firm, who she described as her “shero,” represented them. However, she couldn’t recall the lawyer’s name, and the Cochran Firm said they had no record of such a case involving Crockett.
