Rep. Jasmine Crockett Addresses Security Guard Incident
Rep. Jasmine Crockett asserted that “all procedures were followed” in the hiring of a security guard with a criminal history who was involved in a fatal standoff with Dallas SWAT and was under federal investigation.
Crockett, a Democrat from Texas, noted in a statement that Diamon-Maazel Robinson, known to her as Mike King, was shot by police in Dallas. She attributed his ability to bypass security vetting processes to a “loophole” in the system.
She mentioned that her team was unaware that Robinson, age 39, was using a false name and mistakenly thought he was providing security for “additional local entities” and working closely with Capitol Police.
“Our team adhered to all the steps outlined by the House of Representatives when awarding security contracts,” Crockett said in her statement on X.
“The fact that this individual managed to evade the vetting process for something as crucial as the security of Congress members showcases the flaws in our systems,” she added.
Crockett also expressed concern for Robinson’s friends and family, emphasizing that he had worked closely with her team “for years.”
Robinson had used various aliases to penetrate Texas law enforcement, claiming to be a police officer and securing roles meant to protect progressive lawmakers.
It is also alleged that he operated a website called Off Duty Police Services, which offered jobs to police officers while using the Mike King alias.
On the day of the incident, Dallas police’s fugitive unit was actively tracking Robinson, who was driving a GMC Yukon with stolen state license plates.
Robinson, suspected of impersonating a law enforcement officer, led police to a parking lot next to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, where he barricaded himself in a vehicle.
When police employed tear gas to force him out, he emerged with a gun, prompting officers to open fire, resulting in his death.
Authorities later discovered 11 weapons in his possession, including the firearm used during the altercation.
“What we are discovering about his background contrasts sharply with the person we knew as Mike King,” Crockett reflected.
She expressed mixed emotions regarding his passing, stating, “We grieve the loss of the person we knew and the potential good that his redemption might have fostered.”
Crockett remarked that there was no reason to suspect Robinson wasn’t the person they thought he was—he hadn’t posed any risk to her team, had a strong work ethic, and built positive community relations.
Reports indicate that Robinson, who had been part of the security team for a failed Senate campaign, had multiple arrests between 2009 and 2012 for various crimes, including theft.
He pleaded guilty to all charges, receiving a minimal fine and a probation sentence, with a maximum of ten years’ probation.
Crockett concluded by expressing her shock at the startling discoveries regarding Robinson’s past. As a former public defender, she emphasized her belief in the capacity for redemption and the importance of second chances.
