Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D‑Texas, defended her right to use strong political language — including calling President Donald Trump a “wannabe Hitler” — and rejected suggestions that such rhetoric played a role in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Crockett made the remarks Friday during an interview on the radio program "The Breakfast Club," where she also argued that Trump’s statements and conduct have helped foster a culture of political violence. Law enforcement reports say bullet casings found near the scene of Kirk’s death were inscribed with anti‑fascist messages, a detail that has intensified debate about whether political rhetoric can inspire lone‑actor violence.
Crockett said she rejects the notion that “far‑left rhetoric” caused the attack and counseled against immediately attributing the act to one side of the political spectrum. "Even if it came from someone on our side of the aisle, let’s assume the worst, OK, so let’s talk about it," she said. "Let’s talk about what ‘radicalized’ him."
At the same time, the congresswoman criticized Trump for comments she said promote violence. She cited examples such as remarks Trump made during his 2016 campaign — "I could shoot somebody in the middle of the street in New York and I could still win" — and rhetoric at rallies that encourages physical confrontation. "When you're literally telling people at rallies, 'Yeah, beat them up' and that kind of stuff, you are promoting a culture of violence," Crockett said. She also denounced political violence in general.
The killing of Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and ally of Trump, has prompted a nationwide conversation about the boundaries of political speech and the extent to which heated rhetoric contributes to real‑world attacks. Republicans have blamed media outlets and Democratic figures for repeatedly comparing Trump to Adolf Hitler and argued that such language can inspire extremists. Those criticisms intensified following an assassination attempt against Trump in July 2024.
Crockett also told the program that she believes the vast majority of mass shootings are linked to white supremacy ideology and criticized the idea that violence is primarily driven by Black Americans or immigrants. "It's always some White supremacy kind of thing that’s going on," she said.
The White House, through spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, called on Crockett to clarify her comments. "What on earth did Jasmine Crockett mean when she said she wasn’t ‘necessarily’ encouraging her supporters to hurt Republicans? It sure sounds like she’s justifying political violence," Jackson said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Jackson said the congresswoman's remarks were "deeply troubling" and accused Democrats of further dividing and radicalizing supporters.
Republican leaders and conservative commentators have seized on the killing to press for limits on inflammatory rhetoric and to argue that sustained comparisons between Trump and historical dictators contributed to a climate that can produce violence. Democrats have pushed back, saying that ordinary political criticism differs qualitatively from explicit calls to violence and that responsibility for criminal acts rests with individuals who commit them.
Authorities continue to investigate Kirk’s killing. Officials have disclosed the detail about the inscribed casings but have released limited information about a suspect or motive as the probe proceeds. The episode has reopened long‑running debates in Washington and across the country about the relationship between rhetoric and violence, the responsibilities of public figures, and how to balance robust political debate with public safety.
As lawmakers and party leaders react, Crockett reiterated her position that calling an opponent "a wannabe Hitler" falls within permissible political speech, while urging a broader conversation about rhetoric from leaders of all stripes.
