Law Enforcement Views by Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett
Texas Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett has expressed some unique thoughts on the role of law enforcement. During a podcast called “Grounded,” she discussed the use of military vehicles in urban areas like Washington, D.C. and Chicago.
When asked by moderator Jon Tester if she saw the military’s presence in these cities as positive or negative, Crockett did not hold back. “I think it’s terrible,” she stated. “First of all, I wonder why we have a government that is hostile to its people. We are, uh, quite literally, in the midst of a hostile government takeover, and it’s our own government that’s fostering that hostility.”
Crockett’s comments, made in September but gaining traction recently, suggested that agencies such as ICE and the U.S. military should switch into “legal mode” to clarify how they are, in her view, being misused by the Trump administration.
One particularly noteworthy claim she made was regarding the purpose of law enforcement. “Let’s be clear: Law enforcement is not there to prevent crime,” she said. “They’re there to solve crimes, okay? That’s what they’re supposed to do.” Her assertion that preventing crime isn’t part of their mandate raised some eyebrows.
Furthermore, Crockett argued that the general public might not fully grasp the different kinds of training that various law enforcement and military staff undergo. She mentioned, “ICE literally has no training to go out and do what they do.” However, it’s worth noting that the American Immigration Lawyers Association has labeled ICE officers as some of the most highly trained federal law enforcement personnel in the U.S.
On another note, Crockett voiced her concerns about the military’s “readiness,” claiming that the administration isn’t making smart choices with regard to alliances. She elaborated that the varied missions and training of ICE and the National Guard contribute to what she sees as their misapplication by President Trump.
Continuing her exploration of law enforcement training, she emphasized the differences among local police, sheriff’s deputies, and state troopers, stating they are trained for investigative work and courtroom testimony. “Those in the military, though, are, well, trained killers,” she said, adding that they’re not prepared to deal with civilians effectively.
Interestingly, official training documentation suggests that interactions with civilians are, in fact, a common component of U.S. military training, with the D.C. National Guard specifically preparing for such interactions. This preparation aims to ensure that they can support local law enforcement effectively.
