Rep. Jasmine Crockett is facing renewed criticism over resurfaced comments questioning a colleague’s racial identity based on his interracial marriage, triggering debate about double standards in the Democratic Party’s stance on race.
AT A GLANCE
- Rep. Jasmine Crockett called Rep. Byron Donalds “whitewashed” for marrying a white woman
- The comments, made nine months ago, have resurfaced amid conservative backlash
- Critics say her remarks reveal inconsistencies in Democratic attitudes toward interracial relationships
- Defenders of Donalds point to a perceived double standard in how other interracial marriages are treated
Controversy Over Crockett’s Remarks
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) is under fire after a February 2023 interview on The Breakfast Club resurfaced in which she criticized fellow lawmaker Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) over his marriage to a white woman. Crockett claimed Donalds may feel “whitewashed” by the relationship, stating, “Is this because you don’t understand history? Or literally it’s because you married a white woman and so you think that whitewashed you?”
The remarks, though nearly a year old, have reemerged via conservative platforms, igniting fresh political controversy. As reported by Black Enterprise, Crockett’s language has drawn sharp criticism from the right, with many accusing her of perpetuating harmful racial stereotypes.
Conservative commentators including Jason Whitlock and Shemeka Michelle accused Crockett of promoting racially divisive rhetoric. Whitlock asserted on Fearless with Jason Whitlock that her comments reflect “racial animus,” contradicting the Democratic Party’s own values around inclusivity and racial harmony.
Accusations of Double Standards
Critics of Crockett suggest her attack on Donalds exposes a double standard within the Democratic Party’s treatment of interracial relationships. Whitlock pointed out the inconsistency by highlighting that Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who is married to a white Jewish man, has not received similar criticism. “Ketanji Brown Jackson… Haven’t heard Jasmine Crockett talk about that,” he said.
Fox News anchor Kevin Corke also weighed in, stating in an interview featured on NewsBreak that the comments were “absolutely racist,” and that Crockett should be reprimanded for questioning someone’s Black identity based on their partner’s race.
Watch Crockett’s controversial remarks on The Breakfast Club.
Broader Implications for Party Identity
This controversy has expanded beyond a personal dispute into a broader conversation about how racial identity and relationships are treated within political discourse. Crockett’s defenders argue she was criticizing political alignment, not race. However, detractors maintain that her framing—questioning Donalds’ Blackness due to his white spouse—crosses a line.
The issue is further complicated by Crockett’s past defense of Vice President Kamala Harris, who is also in an interracial marriage. Critics argue that selective criticism undermines the party’s calls for equity and fairness.
In the interview, Crockett also made additional inflammatory comments, including referring to Texas Governor Greg Abbott as “Governor Hot Wheels,” a remark that further inflamed conservative backlash, as noted by multiple sources.
The Fallout and What’s Next
As the Democratic Party continues to grapple with questions of race and identity, Crockett’s comments have become a flashpoint for debate. For some, they reveal unresolved contradictions within party rhetoric. For others, they are a distraction exploited by political opponents.
The implications could extend into the 2024 election season, as Republicans seize the moment to portray Democrats as hypocritical on race issues. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders may face pressure to clarify their stance on internal discourse around race and relationships.
Whether Crockett faces formal reprimand remains unclear, but the episode has clearly deepened the ideological fault lines within and beyond the party.
