A group of Texas state lawmakers are demanding the resignation of Democratic U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett following her controversial bill that sought to strip former President Donald Trump of his Secret Service protection. This call for her resignation intensified after an assassination attempt against Trump on Saturday.
In a letter sent Monday, 27 Texas legislators and political candidates called for Crockett’s immediate resignation, pointing to her co-sponsorship of an April bill designed to revoke Secret Service protection for Trump. The bill, known as H.R. 8081 or the DISGRACED Former Protectees Act, aimed to remove protection for anyone convicted of a crime punishable by at least one year in prison.
Crockett’s involvement in the bill reignited controversy after an attempt on Trump’s life just hours after she made remarks on national television, labeling Trump supporters as “domestic threats.” Speaking on MSNBC, Crockett stated, “Right now, I feel like MAGA in general, they are threats to us domestically,” adding that such behavior had been evident time and time again. Shortly after, Crockett endorsed Kamala Harris for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination.
“Right now I feel like MAGA in general, they are threats to us domestically” – Rep Jasmine Crockett (D) this morning
A few hours later someone tried to kiII Trump. pic.twitter.com/j2YVPjPJEc
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 15, 2024
Later that day, Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, allegedly attempted to assassinate Trump at the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach. Routh, reportedly armed with an AK-47, was apprehended and charged with possession of a firearm as a felon and possession of a firearm with an erased serial number. He appeared in federal court on Monday and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The assassination attempt is the second in recent history, with some Republicans drawing connections between the attacks and Crockett’s earlier legislative efforts. Texas State Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) noted on social media that Crockett had tried to revoke Trump’s Secret Service protection in the past, just before the first attempt on his life. “She tried to take away Trump’s Secret Service protection right before he was shot the last time,” Harrison wrote in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). Harrison and his colleagues are leading the charge in calling for Crockett’s resignation.
She tried to take away Trump’s Secret Service protection right before he was shot the last time.
Thats why many of my colleagues in the #Txlege House have called for her to resign.
Resign, @JasmineForUS. https://t.co/4wp01TlxeN
— Brian Harrison (@brianeharrison) September 15, 2024
Harrison’s post echoed sentiments expressed in the letter, which was reportedly spearheaded by him.
The letter, signed by several Texas representatives, states, “You have forfeited any moral authority to represent the State of Texas,” and demands her immediate resignation.
While the bill Crockett co-sponsored never became law, her support for the measure has drawn widespread criticism from Texas Republicans, especially in light of the recent events. The political fallout continues to unfold as the situation garners national attention, raising questions about the limits of political rhetoric and the safety of former presidents.
