Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett accused of ‘abusing her power’ at Atlanta airport
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat from Texas, faced backlash on social media after a photo surfaced of her allegedly cutting ahead of two passengers in wheelchairs while boarding a flight at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain shared the photo, accusing Crockett of abusing her power and making disabled people wait.
The incident sparked outrage among Republicans, with McClain posting on her personal campaign account, “SPOTTED: Jasmine Crockett with a taxpayer-funded police escort, cutting everyone in line — even making DISABLED people wait. Nothing to see here, just the next leader of the Democrats, abusing her power!” The post included photos of Crockett skipping the line, leading to accusations that she is “evil.”
According to a source familiar with the incident, Crockett was the first passenger, other than the crew, to board a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Washington, D.C., before two passengers in wheelchairs. The U.S. Department of Transportation states that passengers with disabilities who need additional time or assistance to board the airplane should be allowed to board before other passengers.
Delta Air Lines’ policy allows customers who need assistance or extra time, active duty U.S. military members, and Delta 360 Members to pre-board. In this case, Crockett was accompanied by a police officer and a staffer, had her boarding pass scanned, and proceeded to board the plane before any other passenger.
When contacted for comment, Crockett’s chief of staff declined to provide a statement. Delta Air Lines did not respond to requests for comment on the incident.
Recent reports suggest that Crockett, who currently serves as the vice ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, is eyeing the chair position of the committee. If appointed, Crockett would lead oversight of the federal government, including possible investigations into President Donald Trump’s agenda.
In response to Trump’s criticism, Crockett took to social media to address the president directly, stating, “For you to be in charge of the WHOLE country, you sure do have my name in your mouth a lot. Every time you say my name, you’re reminding the world that you’re terrified of smart, bold Black women telling the truth and holding you accountable. So keep talking.”
Crockett was also under fire for comments made during a commencement speech at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi. She referenced the 2023 Alabama brawl and encouraged students to “use a chair” in the face of adversity. The viral video from August 2023 showed a Black man using a white folding chair as a symbol of resistance in defense of a Black riverboat captain who was being attacked by White boaters.
Conservatives criticized Crockett’s remarks, with Sen. Mike Lee calling them “not cool.” Despite the controversy, Crockett urged the graduating class to stand up for themselves and take a seat at the table, invoking the spirit of solidarity seen in the defense of the riverboat captain.
Deirdre Heavey is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
