ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith took aim at Democratic Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett on Monday, sharply questioning her stated strategy of prioritizing resistance to President Donald Trump over passing legislation.
On “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” Smith argued that Crockett’s focus on opposition undermines her fundamental duty to govern and legislate. His remarks follow Crockett’s admission on “Lone Star Politics” in March that her current focus was resisting the President rather than advancing legislation.
“When I hear Jasmine Crockett talking about how ‘I’m just against all things and everything Trump,’ is that legislating? Isn’t it an obligation that you have to come up with something?” Smith asked. He urged representatives in the minority to transition their thinking, stating, “How can I work with the other party to get some of what I want? Because I know I’m not going to get most of what I want because they won the election.”
Crockett defended her approach back in March, stating she was attempting to prevent “regress” rather than achieve “progress.” She told “Lone Star Politics,” “I am working to make sure that I can minimize the regress train right now.”
Crockett’s sentiment aligns with other prominent Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer previously stated in March that the Democratic Party’s “job” was to weaken the president’s popularity.
This strategy appears to resonate with the Democratic base, as a March 16 NBC News poll found that nearly two-thirds of Democrats wanted their congressional lawmakers to avoid making compromises with Trump, even if it impedes bipartisan advancements.
However, some political strategists argue this hyper-partisan stance may be hurting the party’s broader appeal. Former Clinton pollster Mark Penn asserted that Democrats’ “problem” is that Americans perceive them as hyper-partisan and extreme.
Penn noted they are “not trying to be constructive, not listening to the will of the people to try to get things done together with the president.”
The tension highlights a broader political split, especially as the President continues to support policies with wide public backing, such as preventing biological males from participating in female sports, deporting illegal immigrants, and cutting government waste—issues where Democrats have generally adopted a less popular stance.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
