The Breakfast Club – Interview: Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett Talks Gun Reform, Charlie Kirk, The Harris Campaign, Texas Redistricting & More

Date: September 12, 2025
Hosts: DJ Envy, Charlamagne tha God, Lauren LaRosa (filling in), Jess Hilarious (absent)
Guest: Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett

Episode Overview

This episode features an extensive and candid discussion with Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett about the tumultuous state of American politics following a major shooting incident involving Charlie Kirk. The conversation tackles political violence and rhetoric, gun reform, the realities of serving in Congress, the challenges and biases faced by Black women in politics, the dynamics of the recent Harris presidential campaign, intra-party strife among Democrats, responses to redistricting, and more. Crockett brings her signature directness and legal expertise, reflecting on her personal safety, policy advocacy, and the difficulties of leading while being true to oneself.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Political Violence and Rhetoric

Timestamps: 02:25–10:48

• Crockett opens up about the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting and her own safety concerns.
  • “Our country is truly falling apart and it is devolving into next level chaos as well as next level violence.” (Jasmine Crockett, 02:26)
• Discusses the need for protection for lawmakers: Congressmembers raise funds for their own security, unlike other branches.
• Criticizes both sides but argues actual incitement and physical harm have been more prevalent among the far right.
  • “You go out there and you say things like, ‘I could shoot somebody in the middle of the street in New York, and I could still win.’ ... You are promoting, like, a culture of violence.” (Jasmine Crockett, 05:12)
• Notes the hazards of making assumptions about the shooter’s political motives and the dangers of blame games.

2. Gun Reform in America

Timestamps: 10:48–17:15

• Debunks the myth that Democrats want to “take your guns,” stressing that she is licensed and owns firearms herself.
• Explains “common sense gun reform”: background checks, tracking gun ownership (comparable to registering cars), closing gun show loopholes.
  • “It should be as simple as, ‘This belongs to such and such.’ ... Even if you decide, ‘Yo, I'm gonna sell it to my cousin down the street,’ what do you gotta do? Register it. He gotta get a license on it, right?” (Jasmine Crockett, 12:24)
• Points to the strength of the gun lobby as the chief impediment to reform.
• Praises local gun buyback programs but says federal rate of action is lacking.
• Critiques Republicans for prioritizing gun rights over lives, referencing Charlie Kirk's remarks:
  • “When you heard Charlie Kirk himself say a couple of deaths here and there, it's worth it to keep our Second Amendment rights ... If that's not a sign, I don't know what is.” (DJ Envy, 13:46)

3. Personal and Community Backlash After Violence

Timestamps: 17:15–21:28

• Crockett details threats against her staff and increased security following the Kirk shooting despite her total non-involvement.
• Discusses the ripple effect on Black college campuses (HBCUs) and the wrongful targeting of unrelated groups.
  • “First of all, black people ain’t had nothing to do with this ... How was the response to go after black students?” (Jasmine Crockett, 18:40)

4. White Supremacy, Media Narratives, and Law Enforcement

Timestamps: 21:28–26:15

• Blames the political right for shaping narratives that perpetuate racial stereotypes and ignoring white supremacist-linked violence.
  • “Most of [these shootings] are linked to neo-Nazism or Proud Boys ... It’s always some white supremacy kind of thing that's going on. It’s not black folk that are going out there.” (Jasmine Crockett, 20:21)
• Calls out selective outrage and the lack of accountability for white supremacist violence.

5. Free Speech, Incitement, and Social Responsibility

Timestamps: 22:06–26:15

• Discusses limits of the First and Second Amendments: “There are limitations for every single constitutional right that we have. And it's more so a balancing test.” (Jasmine Crockett, 22:49)
• Differentiates between tough criticism and direct incitement to violence.
• Comments on the complexities of political rhetoric:
  • “I think we all incite whether we think we do or not.” (DJ Envy, 23:53)
• Notes the “snowflake theology” of opponents who refuse to acknowledge or discuss ugly historical truths.

6. Reflections on the Harris Campaign, Biden White House & Intraparty Politics

Timestamps: 26:15–43:27

• Crockett, a national co-chair for the Harris campaign, explains the unique challenges faced by Kamala Harris and other Black women in top political roles.
  • “You could even be the Vice President of the United States and run into staff that, for whatever reason, believe that they have the right to undermine you, and they will.” (Jasmine Crockett, 31:24)
• Discusses “handlers,” inner circles, and the culture of DC undermining Black women.
• Touches on media portrayals, staff leaks, and the difficulty of “doing more” just to meet baseline expectations.
  • “People decided that she would have to meet a higher standard than the average vice president. That’s what they decided.” (Jasmine Crockett, 35:16)
• Points out how campaign infrastructure was built for Biden and not suitable for Harris to step in.
• Addresses the need for authenticity in politics, using herself as an example of resisting consultants' pressures.
• Critiques the Democratic Party’s failure to air internal debates in private, noting Republicans exploit visible disunity.

7. Democratic Party Infighting & Endorsement Drama

Timestamps: 46:34–50:10

• Discusses the reluctance by top party leaders to support certain new candidates, attributing it to both power dynamics and lobbying influences (e.g., AIPAC).
• Critiques the habit of painting progressive candidates with “special” negative associations used by the GOP in attack ads.
  • “Republicans will walk up to me, introduce themselves, tell me how much they love me, and make sure ... they tell me that they're a Republican.” (Jasmine Crockett, 48:42)
• Observes that bringing in new and less traditional voters—by authenticity—wins elections.

8. Function and Dysfunction in Modern Politics

Timestamps: 50:10–52:17

• Stresses that Democratic fracturing is at an all-time high while Republicans have “broken all the rules.”
• Calls out GOP efforts to roll back rights, revive “slave patrol” dynamics via policing and ICE, voter suppression, and a Supreme Court out of step with modern democracy.

9. Texas Redistricting and Crockett’s Political Future

Timestamps: 52:48–54:48; 59:40–60:41

• Explains, due to federal law, she can run for Congress anywhere in Texas despite the gerrymandered redistricting.
• Hints at the possibility of pursuing higher office, possibly a Senate seat: “There are definitely those that want me to run statewide. So we're not ruling out a statewide run either.” (Jasmine Crockett, 59:16)

10. Accountability, Epstein Files, and Double Standards

Timestamps: 53:16–54:48

• Pledges to support transparency and accountability regardless of party, noting Democrats on the Oversight Committee led the push for Epstein files.
  • “I am willing to throw anyone under the bus. Absolutely ... I don't sign up or agree on anybody engaging in child sexual sex exploitation. I don't care who you are.” (Jasmine Crockett, 53:26)

11. Sexism, Racism, & Media Smears Against Black Female Politicians

Timestamps: 54:49–58:53

• Addresses New York Post reporting on her being a “diva boss,” linking negative press to broader attempts to delegitimize outspoken Black women.
  • “There is this culture of undermining black women, and there is this culture of you not gonna do what you wanna do here. You're gonna do what we tell you to do.” (Jasmine Crockett, 56:06)
• Details her extensive record and presence, denying rumors she is absent or neglectful.

12. On Loyalty, Disappointment, and Shifting Focus

Timestamps: 56:43–59:40

• Reflects on disappointments in her caucus after not being selected for a prominent oversight role.
  • “If people don't want my service, they don't want my service. But if I said that I was not disappointed with how much I had given to a caucus ... it was eye opening.” (Jasmine Crockett, 57:14)
• Announces renewed focus on working with the Black faith community and hints at evaluating options for future office.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It is dangerous. And even still, even if it came from our side of the aisle ... Let’s talk about what, quote, unquote, radicalized him, right? We've seen writings and manifestos ... [with] ties to the Republican Party.” (Jasmine Crockett, 05:08)
• “Nobody’s trying to take your guns away. ... You can’t buy it unless, like, we literally have you documented on that weapon ... Same thing with our cars.” (Jasmine Crockett, 12:00)
• “There are limitations for every single constitutional right that we have. And it’s more so a balancing test.” (Jasmine Crockett, 22:49)
• “People decided that she [Kamala Harris] would have to meet a higher standard than the average vice president ... They’re both running for president, but if you’ve got a white man ... they’re not expected to talk about reparations, but with a Black woman, they are.” (Jasmine Crockett, 35:16 and 41:58)
• “If the people decide that that’s not the representation you want, that is perfectly fine with me ... But what happens is people say, well, the only way you gonna get here is if you do this or that [conform].” (Jasmine Crockett, 40:17)
• “At the end of the day, I don’t sign up or agree on anybody engaging in child sexual sex exploitation. ... Whoever it is, it is what it is.” (Jasmine Crockett, 54:34)
• “Sometimes you have to be put into an uncomfortable position in order to move you ... Maybe the House, maybe it’s over. Maybe that was the message. Like, I don't know. We’ll see what numbers look like.” (Jasmine Crockett, 58:53)

Useful Segment Timestamps

• Opening & Context: 02:06
• Kirk Shooting, Political Violence: 02:25–10:48
• Gun Reform Discussion: 10:48–17:15
• HBCU Campus Threats & Race: 18:29–21:28
• Free Speech & Incitement Boundaries: 22:06–26:15
• Kamala Harris Campaign & Staff Undermining: 26:15–39:09
• Democratic Party Infighting & Endorsements: 46:34–50:10
• Texas Redistricting & Future Plans: 52:48–54:48, 59:40–60:41

Tone and Delivery

The conversation is frank, direct, and unapologetically candid, balancing legal knowledge, lived Black experience, political insider wisdom, and personal vulnerability. Crockett speaks with conviction, emotional insight, and a clear sense of urgency about America’s political moment.

For listeners seeking understanding of real-time political turmoil, intra-party Democratic battles, Black women’s challenges in public office, and practical gun reform, this episode is essential, offering unfiltered commentary from one of Congress’s most outspoken rising stars.