Rep. Jasmine Crockett has defended her decision-making following the hiring of a security guard who turned out to be a fugitive with a criminal past. The guard, known to her as Mike King, was under federal investigation and was ultimately killed in a confrontation with the Dallas SWAT team.
In a statement released on Monday, Crockett, a Democrat representing Texas, acknowledged that the man she knew as King was actually Diamon-Mazairre Robinson. She attributed his ability to bypass the vetting process to “loopholes” within the system, which allowed him to work under an alias.
Crockett emphasized that her team was unaware of Robinson’s true identity and believed he had been providing security services for other local organizations. Additionally, they thought he had been collaborating closely with the Capitol Police.
“Our team adhered to all protocols established by the House for hiring additional security personnel,” Crockett stated in her announcement on social media platform X.
She expressed concern over the fact that Robinson managed to evade thorough vetting, describing it as indicative of broader systemic deficiencies that need addressing. “The fact that this individual was able to somehow circumvent the vetting process for something as sensitive as security for a member of Congress highlights the loopholes and shortcomings in many of our systems,” she explained.
Crockett also offered her condolences to Robinson’s friends and family, acknowledging his presence around her team for several years under the guise of Mike King. “With that being said, we are praying for the friends and family of the man we knew as Mike King,” she added.
Robinson had gone by multiple aliases to con his way into the Texas law enforcement community, claiming to be a police officer and securing a position protecting the progressive congresswoman.
Robinson is also believed to have used his fake Mike King identity to run a website called âOff Duty Police Servicesâ that provided cops with jobs outside of work.
The Dallas Police fugitive unit had been tracking Robinson on Wednesday while he was driving a GMC Yukon with stolen government license plates, CBS News Texas reported.
Robinson, who was under investigation for impersonating a law enforcement officer, led them to the parking garage connected to the Childrenâs Medical Center in Dallas, where he barricaded himself inside a car.
After police used tear gas to force out Robinson, he jumped out of his car and pointed a gun at them. Officers then opened fire on the armed suspect and fatally shot him.
Cops then found 11 weapons in his possession, including a stolen one, which he wielded while he was shot and killed, the outlet reported.
âWhat weâre learning about his past doesnât fit the person we came to know as Mike King,â Crockett wrote.
âHis death evokes a range of emotions. Our hearts grieve the loss of someone we knew and the lost good that could have come from his redemption.â
“There was never any reason to suspect that he wasn’t who he held himself out to be. He never endangered our team, worked diligently, coordinated with local law enforcement, and maintained positive relationships throughout the community,” Crockett said.
The con artist, who was most recently part of the security detail for her failed Senate campaign, had been arrested numerous times between 2009 and 2012, including seven instances of theft, CBS News Texas reported.
Robinson had pleaded guilty to all charges for both felony and misdemeanor offenses, and faced only fines of less than $2,500 and probation. His longest sentence was 10 years of probation, according to court records viewed by the outlet.
“We are saddened and shocked by some of the concerning revelations,” Crockett’s statement added.
“As a former public defender, the Congresswoman has always believed that people have an immense capacity for redemption and deserve second chances.”
