In recent days, Americans have been treated to quite the spectacle of political theater from certain quarters of Congress. Enter Representative Jasmine Crockett, a figure determined to remind us all that the Constitution is overlooked when Republican presidents wield authority—at least in her view. With her insistence on being personally consulted about military decisions, one might wonder if she’s confused about her own job description. Perhaps a brief civics lesson is in order?
Jasmine Crockett made waves this week with her somewhat perplexing commentary on the recent military actions in Iran. She appears to believe that she should be at the helm of decisions that are, quite frankly, beyond her constitutional remit. The Constitution designates the President of the United States as the commander-in-chief, a role that entails making decisions about national defense, not Ms. Crockett. She seems to be having a difficult time distinguishing between her congressional duties and those of the President.
Crockett’s remarks highlight a common misconception held by some of her fellow Democrats. They often act as if they’re surprised when a Republican president exercises his constitutional duties, while they conveniently forget that Democratic presidents have done the same without much objection. The selective outrage is nothing short of amusing. It only surfaces when it’s politically convenient; when a Democrat is seated in the Oval Office, we barely hear a peep from them about constitutional overreach.
The irony is rich. Past Democratic administrations have, on multiple occasions, engaged in military actions without seeking explicit congressional approval. One might recall the Obama administration’s drone strikes, some of which targeted American citizens. These decisions, which pushed the boundaries of executive power, seemed to slip past the critical eyes of Jasmine Crockett and her colleagues back then. The outrage, it seems, has more to do with political affiliation than with constitutional authority.
What we’re witnessing is a grand display of political hypocrisy where the rules are conveniently reshaped depending on who is in charge. It’s high time that representatives like Jasmine Crockett understand the limits of their roles instead of indulging in melodramatic performances. The business of running a nation is serious work, not an episode of reality television. One can hope that they will eventually direct their energies toward genuine governance rather than engaging in self-aggrandizement. Until then, the show goes on.
