Rep. Jasmine Crockett On Congressional Democrats

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Rep. Jasmine Crockett On Congressional Democrats" The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert
Release Date: May 17, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert welcomes back Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a sophomore Democratic representative from Texas. The conversation delves into recent political happenings, focusing on Crockett's role in Congress, her critiques of former President Donald Trump, and the functioning of congressional committees amid escalating political tensions.

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Highlight: "Trump or Trans" Game at Transgender Athletes Hearing

Timestamp [00:33]:
Stephen Colbert opens the discussion by referencing a notable moment from Crockett's recent congressional hearing on transgender athletes. Colbert recalls Crockett introducing a game titled "Trump or Trans" to engage the witness.

Notable Quote:

Jasmine Crockett [00:54]: "So I'm going to ask you a question, and I want you to tell me whether or not it is Trump or trans or trans people that are responsible. You understand?"

Crockett outlines a series of statements attributing various national issues directly to Trump, highlighting her strategy to simplify and emphasize accountability during the hearing.

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Critique of Donald Trump's Leadership

Timestamp [03:00]:
Colbert brings up a recent town hall where Donald Trump was questioned about his perceived mistakes during his first hundred days in office, to which Trump responded, "I don't believe I've made mistakes."

Notable Quotes:

Jasmine Crockett [03:11]:
"Where do I begin? We can start with the fact that he ever got reelected in the first place, that was a mistake. But, you know, if we just want to go to, over the weekend, threatening to arrest members of Congress..."

Jasmine Crockett [03:54]:
"...the fact that he loves Putin more than he loves us. And as you were just talking about, the Canadians are our friends, and he doesn't quite realize that either."

Crockett systematically critiques Trump's policies and actions, ranging from economic decisions to foreign relations, emphasizing the detrimental impacts she attributes to his leadership.

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Response to Threats Against Congress Members

Timestamp [04:10]:
Colbert raises concerns about statements from the White House suggesting the possibility of arresting members of Congress, seeking Crockett's perspective as a member of the legislative body.

Notable Quotes:

Jasmine Crockett [04:10]:
"We are standing 10 toes down for our members. Listen, we have jobs, and unlike some other people, say the big guy in the White House who has spent 25% of his time golfing. Yeah. We actually care about our jobs."

Jasmine Crockett [04:53]:
"...we have a duty of oversight over these agencies. And knowing that they are literally just kidnapping people off of the streets and we don't know what types of conditions they are putting them in..."

Crockett expresses unwavering support for her fellow legislators, condemning any threats against them and underscoring the importance of their roles in government oversight and accountability.

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The Role and Importance of the Oversight Committee

Timestamp [05:07]:
Colbert inquires about the Oversight Committee, of which Crockett is a member, seeking her explanation of its significance in the current political climate.

Notable Quotes:

Jasmine Crockett [05:07]:
"Oversight, usually we oversee everything, literally everything in the federal government. Most people think of us as overseeing the agencies. And it used to be the Oversight Committee on Government Accountability."

Jasmine Crockett [05:32]:
"We look for waste, fraud, and abuse. We try to make things more efficient, and we try to hear what the American people have to say."

Crockett elaborates on the committee's broad mandate to monitor government operations, address inefficiencies, and respond to public concerns, highlighting its critical role in maintaining governmental integrity.

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Challenges Within Government Efficiency and Accountability

Timestamp [05:48]:
The conversation shifts to criticisms of government efficiency, with Crockett addressing issues related to defense budgeting and audit failures.

Notable Quotes:

Jasmine Crockett [05:48]:
"It was a complete sham. This was never about government efficiency, because if it was, we would have started with Defense, where now he wants to take the budget up to a whopping $1 trillion and they have not been able to pass an audit in the last seven audits."

Crockett criticizes the lack of efficiency and accountability within governmental departments, using defense budget mismanagement as a case study to illustrate systemic failures.

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Upholding the Rule of Law on the Judiciary Committee

Timestamp [06:39]:
Colbert brings up Trump's recent remarks on Meet the Press regarding due process and the Constitution, questioning Crockett about her experience on the Judiciary Committee amid a president perceived to disregard the rule of law.

Notable Quotes:

Jasmine Crockett [07:05]:
"You know, I honestly don't care about your politics. There are some basic fundamentals of what it is to be an elected official on any level. The fact that the most powerful person in the world has no idea about the little oath that he took is beyond me."

Crockett emphasizes the fundamental responsibilities of elected officials to uphold constitutional values and expresses her disapproval of leadership that neglects these core principles, regardless of political affiliation.

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Conclusion

The episode offers an insightful look into Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett's perspectives on contemporary political challenges, her active role in government oversight, and her staunch opposition to policies and actions she deems harmful to the nation. Through a combination of humor and serious critique, Colbert facilitates a meaningful discussion that underscores the complexities and responsibilities inherent in congressional leadership.

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Additional Information: Listeners are encouraged to visit ParamountShop.com using the discount code "TLS20" for 20% off The Late Show with Stephen Colbert merchandise. For more content, viewers can watch the show weeknights at 11:35/10:35c on CBS or stream it on Paramount+.

Transcript

[Stephen Colbert]

It's the Late Show Poncho with Stephen Colbert.

Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the Late Show. Ladies and gentlemen, my next guest is the sophomore Democratic congresswoman from Texas. Please welcome back to the Late Show Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. Congresswoman, it's good to talk to you. I had such a good time talking to you last time.

Yes.

With energy and enthusiasm. I love watching you when you're on the tv. Last week, you were at a hearing on transgender athletes. And when it was your turn for questioning. I want to get this right. You asked a witness to play a game called Trump or trans. We got a clip right here.

[Jasmine Crockett]

So I'm going to ask you a question, and I want you to tell me whether or not it is Trump or trans or trans people that are responsible. You understand?

[Witness]

Got it.

[Jasmine Crockett]

Okay, very good. The first one gutted medical research.

[Witness]

Trump.

[Jasmine Crockett]

Kidnapping Americans and sending them to foreign countries, AKA deporting them.

[Witness]

Trump.

[Jasmine Crockett]

Driving us into a recession.

[Witness]

Trump.

[Jasmine Crockett]

Increasing the cost of everything. Trump waging an idiotic tariff war.

[Witness]

Trump.

[Jasmine Crockett]

Harming farmers. Trump ignoring the Constitution.

[Witness]

Trump.

[Jasmine Crockett]

Proposing to take away Social Security.

[Witness]

Trump.

[Jasmine Crockett]

Cutting health care.

[Witness]

Trump.

[Jasmine Crockett]

Firing government workers who keep our country safe.

[Witness]

Trump.

[Jasmine Crockett]

Encouraging an environment of hate and divisiveness. Trump, thank you so much.

[Stephen Colbert]

How did you. Or when or why? How did that idea come to you? The game? Trump or transition?

Well, first of all, I needed to keep it simple. That helps with a message, especially when I'm trying to send a message to him. Gotta keep it very simple. So, you know, this was a Doge hearing, and so the Doge subcommittee is also headed up by someone else who needs a simple message. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Right. So I wanted to be clear. There was no reason that we were having a hearing about who could play what sports and definitely fencing and subpoenaing someone to talk about fencing. Who doesn't take a government dollar in the Department of Government Efficiency hearing. Right. So I wanted to redirect and make sure that the American people knew that this was nothing but a distraction. And sometimes coming up with something very plain, very simple is probably the best way to go. So that's why did it. Well.

In a recent town hall, Trump was asked the biggest mistake he'd made in the first hundred days. And he said, I don't believe I've made mistakes. Do you want to field that question yourself?

Where do I begin? We can start with the fact that he ever got reelected in the first place, that was a mistake. But, you know, if we just want to go to, over the weekend, threatening to arrest members of Congress deciding that he's going to take his new plane, his empire in the sky from the Qataris, or the fact that, yes, the prices of everything have gone up, and the fact that he said he was gonna stop wars, and somehow it seems like we've got yet another war that has kicked off the fact that he loves Putin more than he loves us. And as you were just talking about, the Canadians are our friends, and he doesn't quite realize that either.

Interesting. You said, like the White House has said, that the idea of arresting members of Congress is on the table here. As a member of Congress, what's your reaction to that? Are the people talking about it in the cloakrooms?

Well, I mean, this all just happened over the weekend, so we go back into session tomorrow. But what I will tell you is that we are standing 10 toes down for our members. Listen, we have jobs, and unlike some other people, say the big guy in the White House who has spent 25% of his time golfing. Yeah. We actually care about our jobs. And we are trying to serve the American people. And we have a duty of oversight over these agencies. And knowing that they are literally just kidnapping people off of the streets and we don't know what types of conditions they are putting them in, I think that I actually want to applaud my fellow members of Congress who. Who don't take their jobs lightly, but instead take them very seriously, especially in this moment.

You are on. You're a member of something called the Oversight Committee. Can you explain to people what the importance of the Oversight Committee is when things are this crazy?

Listen, oversight, usually we oversee everything, literally everything in the federal government. Most people think of us as overseeing the agencies. And it used to be the Oversight Committee on Government Accountability. And so we look for waste, fraud, and abuse. We try to make things more efficient, and we try to hear what the American people have to say. We get lots of complaints about the post office, y' all. We get, you know, I mean, the Social Security, police.

So there was already a Doge, and it was you guys.

[Jasmine Crockett]

Correct? Correct.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, correct. An elected Doge.

[Jasmine Crockett]

Correct.

[Stephen Colbert]

The difference was, like, Doge is nothing but a cover up. Like, it's a scam, kind of like a war. What's the COVID up for Elon Musk?

I mean, like, what's the COVID up for?

Well, because they made it seem like they were here to do good, but this was really just a matter of a bad guy coming in and saying, hey, I want this contract, this contract, that contract. And yes, I have a conflict of interest, but no worries. And while I'm at it, let me fire this person who has this many investigations that they're looking into for Tesla. This person who has this many investigations that they're looking into for SpaceX. Let me save myself some money while also enriching myself at the same time. It was a complete sham. This was never about government efficiency, because if it was, we would have started with Defense, where now he wants to take the budget up to a whopping $1 trillion and they have not been able to pass an audit in the last seven audits.

So not a lot of efficiency there. No, not a lot of efficiency there. Last week, you're a lawyer, you're on the Judiciary Committee, right? Yes. Last week, Donald Trump, when asked by Kristen Welker on Meet the Press about whether he believed in due process and upholding the Constitution, he said, I don't know. What is it like to serve on the Judiciary Committee when you have a president who clearly does not care for the rule of law?

Here's my problem, America. How did we get here? Honey, we are not safe. How? You know, I honestly don't care about your politics. There are some basic fundamentals of what it is to be an elected official on any level. The fact that the most powerful person in the world has no idea about the little oath that he took is beyond me. It's not just that I'm on the Judiciary Committee. I think that anyone who considers themselves a full blooded American should have an issue with this, no matter what your political affiliation is.

Congresswoman, thank you so much for being here. Good to see you again.

[Jasmine Crockett]

Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, everybody. Thank you for listening to the Late Show Pod show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives.