Crockett on whether she feels safe after Minnesota shootings: ‘Not at all'
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) said she doesn't feel safe following the Minnesota lawmaker shootings this weekend and called for increased funding to help members of Congress pay for their own security.
'No, not at all,' Crockett said Thursday on ABC's 'The View,' when asked if she feels safe 'as an elected official in this political climate.'
She suggested reallocating some funds away from projects, including the recent U.S. Army military parade, and toward helping lawmakers feel secure at work.
'I mean, here's the deal: I do this job, and the fact that my safety is a part of doing this job is really bad, in and of itself, but while we spend millions upon millions just so that this guy can go and golf, or while they spent $45 million for his little birthday parade,' the Democratic lawmaker said, knocking one of President Trump's favorite pastimes and the military parade, which fell on Trump's 79th birthday.
'I'm just saying, can we reprioritize some of those dollars?' she added.
Crockett noted that a recent continuing resolution included a provision with more than $25 million intended to fund around-the-clock security for the nine U.S. Supreme Court justices.
'Listen, I'm not even asking for a million, but can we get something? Because we have nothing,' Crockett said. 'The only people in the House that have protection, you get protection based upon your leadership post. That's it. Those are the only ones. And so when you figure out security, you have to hopefully raise enough money to then be able to pay for security yourself.'
'This is a problem, especially in light of the environment,' she added.
The congresswoman said she's reached out to a Republican colleague to move along legislation to fund greater protection to lawmakers, noting both sides of the aisle are concerned about the rise in threats and incidents of political violence.
'We still have a role to play,' Crockett said. 'I get that nobody really likes the Congress, but I mean, we still are duly elected, and we're a co-equal branch of government, but we always seem like we're the stepchild.'
Her remarks come after former state Speaker Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband, Mark, were gunned down at their home over the weekend by a shooter impersonating a law enforcement officer, surveillance video showed. Suspect Vance Boelter, 57, was arrested late Sunday and faces multiple state and federal murder charges.
Authorities have not disclosed a motive in the attack, but Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), who attended Wednesday's vigil, has described it as 'politically motivated.'
Boelter is also accused of shooting and seriously wounding state Sen. John Hoffman (D) and his wife, Yvette, shortly before the Hortmans were killed. Authorities said Boelter had notebooks that named dozens of lawmakers in what's thought to be a 'hit list.'
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