Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, drew sharp criticism online after revealing during a House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing that she cited her race as a key reason she was hired as a public defender despite having no criminal defense experience, as reported by Fox News.
The remark was made Wednesday during a hearing held by the Subcommittee on Oversight, which focused on alleged corruption within the FBI under the Biden administration.
While defending diversity initiatives within law enforcement, Crockett shared a personal story about the beginning of her legal career.

“When I first became a public defender, I had no criminal defense experience. I walked in, and I told my boss, Charlie, I said, ‘Listen, you should hire me.’ He said, ‘Why?’ I said, ‘Because I’m Black.’ Charlie looked at me like I was crazy.”
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She continued:
“And I said, ‘Let me tell you something. When I walk in, I’m going to walk in with a level of rapport and understanding that maybe some of my other colleagues will not.’ Charlie offered me my job, and I worked my butt off and I worked really, really hard for all of my clients, not just those that look like me. That is what it looks like to serve.”
Public defenders are court-appointed attorneys who provide legal defense to individuals unable to afford private representation.
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Crockett’s statement quickly went viral on X, where users criticized her remarks and questioned the standards by which she was hired. Critics accused her of openly embracing diversity-based hiring over qualifications and experience.
“INCREDIBLE. Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett publicly admits that she only got her job as a public defender because she was Black. Crockett is a DEI hire, CONFIRMED,” the Libs of TikTok account posted.
INCREDIBLE. Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett publicly admits that she only got her job as a public defender because she was Black.
Crockett is a DEI hire, CONFIRMED.pic.twitter.com/8PhquW4FDd
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 2, 2025
Prominent conservative commentator Charlie Kirk wrote, “Jasmine Crockett brags about being a DEI hire.”
Jasmine Crockett brags about being a DEI hire:
“When I first became a public defender, I had no criminal defense experience. And I walked in and I told my boss, ‘You should hire me…because I’m black.’” pic.twitter.com/uM3bCrtMac
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 2, 2025
Legal scholar Carol Swain reacted to the clip with, “Wow! This EXPLAINS a lot!”
Wow! This EXPLAINS a lot! 🙄🙄🙄 https://t.co/ailxjjCYx0
— Carol Swain Enterprises, LLC (@carolmswain) April 2, 2025
Matt Vespa, Senior Editor at Townhall Media, added, “This woman is a cartoon character.”
This woman is a cartoon character https://t.co/Auk9eTL9EE
— Matt Vespa (@mVespa1) April 3, 2025
Crockett also used her time at the hearing to argue for the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the criminal justice system. She said representation among law enforcement personnel can impact how victims perceive their treatment by authorities.
“We want somebody to show up, and we don’t want them to look at us and act as if just because I’m Black or because I’m a woman that I am not worthy of having that case investigated,” Crockett said.
She added, “Because we have an administration that is continuously railing against diversity, equity or inclusion or we don’t need people that show up that feel like diversity should not be valued. That is why we should have somebody that may show up and looks like me.”
The comments added to the ongoing national debate over diversity initiatives in public institutions and hiring practices.
While supporters argue DEI policies are necessary to ensure fair representation and community trust, critics argue such policies often lead to unqualified hires and prioritize identity over merit.
As of Thursday morning, Crockett had not responded to the criticism.
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