Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett and political podcaster Bryan Tyler Cohen discussed what they called the Trump administration’s constitutional violations at the Writers’ Guild Theater in a sold-out event. Cohen and Crockett discussed his recent book Shameless: Republicans’ Deliberate Dysfunction and the Battle to Preserve Democracy and issues within the current United States democracy.
Shameless explores the history and flaws of the modern Republican Party. Cohen analyzes how the Republican Party’s historical branding has influenced the parties’ legislation and right-wing movement. Tyler explores steps the public can take to preserve democracy.
She discussed the Trump administration’s recent attacks on free speech, which she attributed to him trying to control news outlets. Crockett encouraged audience members not to remain silent but hold Trump accountable for his actions.
“Fast-forwarded to Trump being back in office [and] he’s decided to go after our newspapers. He’s decided to go after the news outlets,” said Crockett. “He’s shaking them down for money. We have to be willing to call that out.”
Crocett then discussed how the public choosing to remain silent enables Trump to attack free speech and enact policies that negatively impact the public such as the recent government shutdown.
Crockett said the government shutdown hurts the country and the Trump administration is not prioritizing that. Instead, Crockett said the Trump administration is funneling money towards the construction of the White House ballroom.
“As the government is shut down, he’s still building this bootleg party room in the White House that nobody asked for. That’s the only thing that’s not shut down,” said Crockett. “The house is shut down. We’re not doing any work for the American people, and his ballroom is still being constructed.”
Cohen added that Trump’s cabinet appointees will not hold him accountable, which makes it easier for Trump to pass legislation that hurts the country.
“So he’s filled his ranks with people who not only aren’t going to oppose him, but are there because they will make it easier for him to do things that he wants to do,” said Cohen.
Crockett credited lower-level courts for maintaining this accountability. She added that she does not have faith in the Republican Party to successfully abide by the Constitution with the current legislative configuration. If not held accountable by the courts, she fears Trump may secure a third presidential term.
“I don’t have any faith in the Republicans. I think we are going to have to rely on the courts, which is also a very scary reality. But the lower courts have actually been doing their job,” said Crockett. “Whether they’ve been appointed by Republicans or Democrats, they have been very good on the Constitution.”
Crockett described how civil rights leaders have influenced her to protest and informed her political advocacy. Crockett said Cohen’s political coverage informs the country about the Trump Administration’s policies. She praised Cohen for getting information to the public and for working diligently to preserve the truth, once again encouraging the audience to be more active.
“He’s making sure that he’s training with others so that they can do the same from the philosophy of each one, teach one,” Crockett said. “That’s what we’ve got to be.”
Cohen and Crockett discussed the impact of the Biden Administration and who could lead the Party during a time of crisis. Crockett said there is no singular person within the party coming to save democracy. Instead, she said power lies in the masses and encouraged audience members to vote in the special election in November.
“One of the things that was so frustrating for me is people kept saying, ‘Who’s our leader?’ and people are still saying it now,” said Crockett. “Honestly, I don’t think that we should be looking for one person… What we’ve got to do is we’ve got to harness our power, because in a democracy, the power belongs to the people.”
Crockett said democracy was strongest when communities united to overcome the current administration. The 2024 Presidential Election divided the country, Crockett and Cohen said.
“They divided us in this last election,” said Crockett. “We’ve got to come together and recognize that if we stand together, we will always do so much more than we can as we’re divided.”
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