UMVA has learned that a heated confrontation erupted during a recent hearing when Rep. Jasmine Crockett unleashed a scathing attack on her Republican colleagues, accusing them of racism and exploiting a member of Martin Luther King Jr.'s family as a prop.
Crockett, who is set to leave office next year, lambasted Republicans for their outrage over the Southern Poverty Law Center's funding of hate groups, while ignoring what she called the "literal elephant in the room" - Martin Luther King Jr.'s more conservative niece, Alveda King.
With fiery passion, Crockett disparaged Alveda King as a right-wing prop, accusing Republicans of trying to deceive the public into thinking a "Doctor King" was criticizing the SPLC's work.
"The vast majority on that side of the aisle… are White men," Crockett declared, her voice ringing with conviction. "White men are lecturing people of color because the vast majority, actually any semblance of diversity comes from this side of the aisle."
Crockett asserted that people of color don't feel welcome in the GOP and that's why they have to parade someone with the name "Doctor King" attached to them, so people can be confused.
Notably, GOP Rep. Wesley Hunt, a fellow Black Texan, had earlier questioned SPLC leader Bryan Fair, and often rebukes talk of race-based partisanship by quipping that he has been "Black my entire life."
Crockett claimed Republicans were hypocritical in accusing the SPLC of funding hate groups, citing a debunked assertion about President Trump's comments following the 2017 White supremacist rally in Charlottesville.
As the hearing progressed, Crockett claimed people on social media were wondering who the "Doctor King" was who was speaking out against the SPLC, and that Republicans were trying to make the public think the historic Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would be on their side.
Crockett suggested Republicans would be better served calling Martin Luther King III or his sister Bernice King to the hearing, implying they understand the civil rights icon's teachings and positions better than Alveda.
Before her time expired, she accused King and Republicans of "capping" for murdered activist Charlie Kirk, quoting a controversial statement by the Turning Point USA founder about the Civil Rights Act.
Alveda King responded emotionally, saying she was going to "watch what I say" after Crockett's remarks, and then addressed Crockett directly, stating, "It seems as though you have suggested that I am a bastard to the King family legacy."
King asserted her legitimacy as a member of the King family, saying, "I am legitimately the daughter of Reverend Alfred Daniel Williams King and Dr. Naomi Ruth Barber King," and added, "We are a family who loves God. And I love you, God bless you."
As the confrontation concluded, Crockett quickly left the room before King could substantively respond to her remarks.
