The Daily Beast Podcast

Host: Joanna Coles
Guest: Rep. Jasmine Crockett (Texas)
Episode: "I Know What Trump's Cover-Up Is Really About"
Date: January 19, 2026

Episode Overview

In this candid and timely episode, host Joanna Coles interviews Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett of Texas, who is currently running for a Senate seat. The conversation travels through the dramatic landscape of US politics under President Trump’s administration, highlighting cover-ups, Congressional dysfunction, fear among lawmakers, the controversy around the Epstein files, the DOJ’s political targeting, and Crockett’s campaign strategy in Texas. The tone is frank, energetic, and occasionally sharp, offering an insider’s perspective on a government at an inflection point.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life in Congress Under Trump: Fear, Dysfunction, and Mob-Like Tactics

• Crockett draws an analogy to an 'abusive relationship' describing her experience in Congress, emphasizing an atmosphere of intimidation and fear across party lines.
  • "If I had to describe what it feels like right now, it feels like we're in an abusive relationship...the abuse is felt by the Republicans and Democrats alike." (03:21, Crockett)
• Fear among Republicans: Most are afraid to oppose Trump openly for fear of political retribution or threats to personal safety.
  • "They just are cowards. I mean, if I'm being honest...the ones that really are over him, they have decided to leave Congress." (05:59, Crockett)
• Genuine dissent—like that of Marjorie Taylor Greene—results in ostracism and threats, while many dissenters are quietly retiring.

2. Republican Categories & True Independents

• Distinguishes between 'true believers' (e.g., Mike Johnson), courageous dissenters (e.g., Thomas Massie), and the MAGA faction.
• Thomas Massie is highlighted as “a regular Republican” who votes on principle rather than Trump’s dictates.
  • "The problem with MAGA is MAGA doesn't have a belief system. MAGA simply does whatever Trump says." (07:52, Crockett)

3. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Departure & Political Moves

• Crockett speculates MTG is preparing a run for Georgia governor, with attempts to rebrand herself as more moderate for electoral advantage.
  • "She is absolutely still MAGA...she still did take some pretty bad votes on a few things after she left." (10:12, Crockett)

4. The Epstein Files Cover-Up

• Bipartisan effort (Massie & Ro Khanna) led to passage of a law mandating release of Epstein files, yet DOJ (under Trump loyalist Pam Bondi) still withholds documents.
• Legal action against the DOJ is imminent due to non-compliance.
  • "They are not releasing files. But now this is law...it is my understanding that there is litigation that is about to ensue against her for violating the law." (11:13, Crockett)
• Survivors’ voices are highlighted, Crockett insists the push for transparency is not partisan.
  • "For the survivors, it's not political...we're not trying to protect pedophiles." (12:30, Crockett)

5. Congressional Powerlessness, War Powers, and Executive Overreach

• Congress largely cut out of intelligence and foreign policy decisions (specifically, military action in Venezuela).
  • "Is it right to go and drop bombs and Congress not have any say? So that's a yes or no, right? It's very simple." (13:56, Crockett)
• Senate managed to pass a War Powers Resolution, but House action is doubtful due to fear of Trump’s reaction.

6. DOJ as Political Weapon

• DOJ pursuing “perceived enemies” of Trump (Jerome Powell, Letitia James, Comey), prompting firings for non-compliance and sanctioning torture abroad.
  • "Our laws are kind of difficult to get over sometimes. These guys are so bad that we should be able to get over it. But I just don't think that they would do anything in the way of justice for these victims." (18:42, Crockett)
• DOJ classified Venezuela operation as law enforcement to provide domestic legal cover.

7. Tariffs, National Security, & U.S. Standing Abroad

• Crockett warns tariffs have hurt US allies more than adversaries and is worried about increasing American isolation.
  • "We're fighting on too many fronts. And frankly, we may be isolated in a minute because of this leadership." (21:16, Crockett)
• Critiques Elon Musk’s profiteering from foreign aid cutoffs and a broader “cruelty” in US foreign and domestic policies.

8. Crockett’s Run for Senate: Redistricting & Representation

• Redistricting in Texas forced her out of her district; Supreme Court’s upholding of those maps solidified her move to a statewide run.
• She frames the Senate as central to progress on voting rights, reproductive access, and judicial appointments:
  • "Most of the challenges that we have in the United States that kind of got us here, it is because of the Senate." (23:02, Crockett)

9. Campaign Strategy & Electorate Expansion

• Focuses on energizing non-voters—particularly Black and brown communities—rather than trying to convert Republicans.
  • "Texas is a non voting, voter suppressed state...We've got a lot of opportunity with non voters." (32:14, Crockett)
• Emphasizes her state and national profile, existing name recognition, and experience fighting Trump-era policy at the federal level.

10. Advisors and Party Support

• Consults with Vice President Harris and Stacey Abrams; values lessons learned from their successes and setbacks.
  • "So when we have conversations, I'm like, all right, what worked? What didn't?" (35:57, Crockett)
• She also confirms she consulted Biden and Harris directly prior to entering the Senate race.

11. Democratic Party Leadership Void for 2028

• Says it's unclear who will emerge; the party lacks an obvious figurehead.
  • "There, there is a void right now. I will say that." (46:17, Crockett)
• Names Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris as high-profile possibilities but believes agility and resonance with the political moment matter most.

12. Democratic Messaging: Affordability and Unity

• Urges Dems to coalesce around affordability/“the economy, stupid” message but notes the party often overthinks and splinters.
  • "Democrats overthink stuff. So I agree with you. The overarching theme needs to be affordability." (52:46, Crockett)

13. Personal Moments: Security, Hobbies, and Well-Being

• Reveals she wears a bulletproof vest at times:
  • "We are absolutely making sure I wear a bulletproof vest..." (05:15, Crockett)
• Discusses Broadway favorites (“Hell’s Kitchen” and “Little Shop of Horrors”), friends, and ongoing campaign reading (mostly questionnaires rather than novels).

14. Trump’s Health

• While never having had a personal conversation with Trump, Crockett is involved in investigating his fitness for office.
  • "There are a number of medical professionals that believe he is in bad, bad shape and that, like, very, very, very, very, very bad shape. So I'm just watching." (56:48, Crockett)

15. Controversy with Podcasters & Primary Rival

• Reacts to Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers’ podcast segment discouraging donations to her campaign, expressing gratitude for grassroots pushback and skepticism about the motives.
  • "We just don't think it's as organic as people have been led to believe..." (41:39, Crockett)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s White House:
  • "It is crazy to have such a brazen criminal running the United States. And that's exactly who he is." (02:03, Crockett)
• On MAGA Republicans:
  • "The problem with MAGA is MAGA doesn't have a belief system. MAGA simply does whatever Trump says." (07:52, Crockett)
• On Fear in Congress:
  • "It doesn't make sense that…we had to get a bulletproof vest. It doesn't make sense that that is the life that you have to live." (04:35, Crockett)
• On Advocacy and Reform:
  • "We're not trying to protect pedophiles. And that is the message that we want to get across." (12:30, Crockett)
• On Democratic Unity:
  • "It's okay if you disagree with me, but I'm gonna be better than them over there..." (50:54, Crockett)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [03:21] – Crockett analogizes life in Congress to an abusive relationship
• [05:15] – Confirms she wears a bulletproof vest
• [07:52] – Explains the power dynamic within MAGA Republicanism and the value of principle-driven politicians
• [11:13] – Discusses the Epstein files and DOJ's non-compliance
• [23:02] – Outlines the primacy of the Senate in enacting change
• [32:14] – Campaign strategy: expanding the electorate among non-voters
• [35:57] – Value of political mentorship and learning from Abrams and Harris
• [46:17] – Addresses Democratic Party leadership vacuum heading into 2028
• [52:46] – Calls for unity on “affordability” as the central party message
• [56:48] – Comments on Trump's deteriorating health as perceived by medical professionals

Conclusion

This episode offers a striking window into the increasingly fraught reality of American governance, as seen through the eyes of a frontline legislator and Senate candidate. Crockett’s testimony is raw, passionate, and highly critical of both the current administration’s authoritarian drift and the cowardice or paralysis she sees in many corners of Congress. For listeners, especially Texans, the episode is both a warning and a rallying call—one that blends sharp policy critique, inside stories, and the personal toll of public service in the Trump era.