Crockett: Trump’s Supporters ‘Can’t Call Themselves Patriotic’ for Cheering Comey Indictment

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) took aim at President Donald Trump’s supporters Thursday night on MSNBC, arguing that Americans who cheer the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey “can’t call themselves patriotic.”

Speaking with host Chris Hayes, who framed Comey as the FBI director who “refused to turn the bureau into Trump’s personal plaything,” Crockett blasted the indictment as political.

“I want the American people to know that when you stand up to a bully, you win,” Crockett said. “Do not back down. Do not bend. If everybody starts to bend, what is left of our democracy will be gone. And unfortunately, that is exactly what he wants. And even more sadly, many of his followers agree with this. How is it that you can call yourself American or patriotic when you literally don’t understand who we are as Americans?”

Crockett went on to accuse Trump’s backers of being willing to “throw out the Constitution” in their support of the former president, saying they were prioritizing loyalty to him over loyalty to the law.

“Even as Democrats, we had our fair share of issues with James Comey — but that’s not a reason to prosecute someone,” Crockett continued. “If [Trump] decides that he wants to continue down this path, I think they’re going to continue to lose. I don’t see the former FBI director saying he’s going to just enter a plea deal or take this lying down. I think this is someone who will fight to the end.”

Comey was indicted Thursday on two federal charges of making false statements and obstruction of a congressional proceeding, stemming from his 2020 testimony about leaks connected to the Trump-Russia investigation. President Trump has said the indictment is “about justice” and warned “there will be others” charged.