Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, is facing fierce online backlash after using a congressional member statement to honor music artist Chris Brown, whose record includes multiple guilty pleas involving violent assaults, as reported by Fox News.
Crockett recently lost her bid for the Senate.
The statement, which lawmakers can enter into the congressional record without a vote, recognized “the artistry of Chris Brown and Usher Raymond.”
Crockett presented the recognition as a tribute to two artists who helped shape contemporary R&B and pop music, particularly for the Black community.
Crockett appeared on stage alongside Brown on Saturday evening and sought to energize the audience before announcing the recognition.
“Now, y’all know, I tend to get in trouble every once in a while,” she said.
She then asked whether Dallas was represented in the crowd before urging attendees to applaud Brown. “Let’s give it up for Chris Brown,” Crockett said as the audience responded with applause.
Chris Brown brought out Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett during his concert last night on September 12, 2026. She presented Chris Brown with an official entry into the U.S. Congressional Record, recognizing his 20-year career, musical legacy, and contributions to R&B music. pic.twitter.com/SNg6S7PHzG
— The Daily Mail (@SenatorAPolanco) September 13, 2026
Crockett also framed the congressional recognition as a celebration of Black joy.
“And right now, we are experiencing Black joy to the highest level, and I wanted to make sure we document that in the Congressional Record,” she said.
The tribute quickly drew scrutiny from viewers who questioned whether Crockett should use her position as a lawmaker to celebrate Brown.
Critics pointed directly to his documented history of domestic violence and other violent conduct.
Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault in 2009 after attacking Rihanna, his girlfriend at the time and a famous singer.
Images showing her injuries became public and sparked widespread condemnation from the music industry.
His record did not end with the Rihanna assault. Brown was involved in a 2013 altercation with singer Frank Ocean and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge that same year.
In 2017, another former girlfriend obtained a domestic violence restraining order against Brown after alleging physical abuse.
Democratic activist and political commentator Shannon Watts identified that woman as Karrueche Tran and said the restraining order lasted five years.
Brown more recently pleaded guilty to charges that he struck producer Abe Diaw twice in the head with a glass tequila bottle in July 2023.
He is expected to be sentenced in October on a separate affray charge under English law involving unlawfully threatening violence against another person.
Andrew Kerr, an investigative reporter with the Washington Free Beacon, highlighted Brown’s history after Crockett’s tribute began circulating online.
“Kamala Harris-endorsed Rep. Jasmine Crockett uses her congressional authority to honor Chris Brown, the rapper best known for beating ever-living s— out of Rihanna in 2009,” Kerr wrote on X.
Kamala Harris-endorsed Rep. Jasmine Crockett uses her congressional authority to honor Chris Brown, the rapper best known for beating the ever-living shit out of Rihanna in 2009 https://t.co/jHb7CpCzDL
— Andrew Kerr (@AndrewKerrNC) September 13, 2026
Watts also condemned the decision to honor Brown. “Chris Brown pled guilty to felony assault after brutally attacking Rihanna,” she wrote while also citing the restraining order obtained by Tran and other allegations involving Brown.
Democratic strategist Ameshia Cross called the recognition a political blunder that ignored serious challenges facing the Black community.
“This was a ridiculous move by Crockett,” Cross wrote on X after describing Brown’s history as documented.
Cross argued that Crockett’s decision was particularly offensive because of domestic violence involving Black women.
“Also, when Black women suffer [domestic violence] at the highest rates, and often fatally, this was tone deaf as hell,” she added.
Exactly. Chris Brown has a problem and several folks beyond Rihanna have met his violent rage. Its well-documented. This was a ridiculous move by Crockett. Also when Black women suffer DV at the highest rates and often fatally, this was tone deaf as hell. https://t.co/LkI40nB36d
— Ameshia Cross (@AmeshiaCross) September 14, 2026
Eric Michael Garcia, the D.C. bureau chief of the Independent, delivered an equally blunt assessment.
“Absolutely disgusting to see Jasmine Crockett platform and honor an abuser of women,” Garcia wrote.
New York Times bestselling author Dan Winslow said the episode had changed his opinion of Crockett.
“Crockett thought he deserved to be honored,” Winslow wrote before saying he would never support her again.
CHRIS BROWN plead guilty to beating Rihanna.
It was a horrific and savage beating.@RepJasmine Crockett thought he deserved to be honored.
Absolutely disgusting behavior.
I am glad she lost.
I will never support her again. https://t.co/XCE73V70tL
— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) September 14, 2026
Brown responded on Instagram by complaining that others had brought the congressional tribute to him and placed him under renewed scrutiny.
He said his Dallas shows were already sold out and insisted that he had never requested the honor from Crockett.
“I ain’t asked to be honored because I knew some sh-t like this would happen…” Brown wrote. He asked to be left alone so he could focus on fans who had paid to attend and support his performances.
Crockett gave up her House seat to pursue the Senate nomination but lost to James Talarico, the Democratic nominee in Texas.
As a result, she will not return to the U.S. House of Representatives when the next Congress begins.
