Republican Party Moves to Censure Rep. Crockett for Controversial Remark

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House Republicans move to censure Texas Democrat Jasmine Crockett for calling Governor Greg Abbott “Governor Hot Wheels,” mocking his wheelchair use in a speech that has ignited fierce backlash across party lines.

Key Takeaways

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Dallas) referred to Texas Governor Greg Abbott as “Governor Hot Wheels” during a Human Rights Campaign dinner in Los Angeles, mocking his wheelchair use.
Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas) is leading an effort to formally censure Crockett, which would make her the second House Democrat censured this year.
Crockett claims her comments were aimed at Abbott’s immigration policies, not his disability, but prominent Republicans have condemned the remarks as discriminatory.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Senator John Cornyn, and other Republican leaders have publicly rebuked Crockett for her comments.
Abbott has used a wheelchair since 1984 when he was partially paralyzed after a tree fell on him during a jog.

Crockett’s Inflammatory Remarks Spark Republican Outrage

Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett of Dallas ignited a firestorm of criticism after referring to Texas Governor Greg Abbott as “Governor Hot Wheels” during a Human Rights Campaign dinner in Los Angeles. The comment, which mocked Abbott’s use of a wheelchair, drew immediate condemnation from Republicans across Texas and Washington. Abbott has used a wheelchair since 1984 when he was partially paralyzed after being struck by a falling tree while jogging. The derogatory nickname has been used by critics of the governor in the past, but Crockett’s public use of it as a sitting congresswoman has elevated the controversy to a national level.

During her speech, Crockett said, “Ya’ll know we got Governor Hot Wheels down there! Come on, now. And the only thing hot about him is that he’s a hot [expletive] mess, honey.” The remarks were part of a longer speech where she expressed support for the LGBTQ community while criticizing Abbott’s policies. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton swiftly responded on social media, calling Crockett “despicable” for mocking the governor’s disability. Senator John Cornyn echoed this sentiment, stating that her comments were “disgraceful” and questioning the media’s coverage of the incident.

The juxtaposition of Jasmine Crockett, making fun of a man in a wheelchair while standing in front of a backdrop professing “human rights” is a perfect snapshot of leftism in 2025 pic.twitter.com/A3rdrXJI17

— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) March 25, 2025

Republicans Push for Formal Censure

Representative Randy Weber, a Texas Republican, announced plans to introduce a resolution to censure Crockett for what he described as “disgraceful and vile attacks” against Governor Abbott. The censure resolution, if passed, would represent a formal condemnation of Crockett’s behavior by the House of Representatives. While a censure does not remove a member from Congress, it serves as a serious symbolic reprimand that requires the censured representative to stand in the well of the House while the resolution is read aloud.

Weber’s draft resolution reportedly claims that Crockett’s language was discriminatory and part of a pattern of inappropriate remarks. If the censure passes, Crockett would become the second House Democrat censured this year, following Rep. Al Green of Texas. The National Republican Congressional Committee also weighed in, with spokesman Mike Marinella stating that “Jasmine Crockett is the perfect spokesperson for today’s Democrats – out of touch and completely unhinged.”

Crockett Defends Her Comments as Policy-Focused

Crockett has defended her remarks, claiming they were directed at Abbott’s policies rather than his disability. In a statement, she said, “I wasn’t thinking about the governor’s condition – I was thinking about the planes, trains, and automobiles he used to transfer migrants into communities led by Black mayors, deliberately stoking tension and fear among the most vulnerable.” Crockett further suggested that Republicans were using her comments as a distraction from more pressing issues facing the country, including immigration reform and economic concerns.

Since taking office in 2023, Crockett has gained prominence in the Democratic Party for her confrontational style and viral moments during congressional hearings. She serves as the National Co-Chair for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign and has been involved in several contentious exchanges with Republican colleagues. Prior to the Abbott controversy, Crockett had drawn criticism for comments about Elon Musk, adding to what some Republicans characterize as a pattern of inappropriate remarks that they claim warrant formal censure.