Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) accused Republicans of openly embracing racist rhetoric during President Donald Trump’s second term, saying the party had “taken the hoods off” and stopped hiding their intentions. Speaking Saturday on MSNBC’s Velshi, Crockett alleged Texas Republicans were engaging in “racial gerrymandering” and pointed to recent attacks on state Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston).
“It’s not just even the fact that it’s gerrymandering,” Crockett said. “I want to be clear, this is racial gerrymandering, specifically in the state of Texas.”
Host Ali Velshi noted rhetoric from some Republicans tying Wu to the Chinese Communist Party, calling it “racism” and saying they were “not doing a great job” of concealing it. Crockett agreed, saying the shift began with Trump’s first term but escalated after his return to office.
“When Trump came in the first time, they started to lift the hoods,” she said. “Once Trump got in a second time, they decided the hoods were off. And listen, I’m perfectly fine with it because I want to know where you stand. I want to know that you’re a despicable human being who lacks all morality, but wants to go around and teach and preach Christianity.”
Crockett argued that this overt approach makes it far more difficult for minority communities to consider Republican positions. “It is unfortunate that that is where we are,” she said, adding that the GOP “consistently coddle[s] people like neo-Nazis.”
The exchange reflects the deep partisan divide in Texas politics, where ongoing disputes over redistricting, voting access, and racial representation continue to fuel heated rhetoric on both sides. Republican leaders have rejected charges of racial bias, insisting their redistricting efforts comply with the law, while Democrats say the maps dilute minority voting power.
