# Crockett honors Chris Brown, backlash follows

> A ceremonial congressional honor for Chris Brown at an Arlington concert turned into a five-day political mess.
- Title: Crockett honors Chris Brown, backlash follows | Shortify
- Summary: A ceremonial congressional honor for Chris Brown at an Arlington concert turned into a five-day political mess. A ceremonial honor costs a lawmaker nothing…
- Keywords: texas politics, jasmine crockett, chris brown, backlash, midterms, news, local, Crockett, honors, Chris, Brown, follows
- Source: FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth — https://fox4news.com/news/jasmine-crockett-backlash-chris-brown-arlington-concert
- Author: Steven Ardary
- Published: 2026-09-15T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: texas politics, jasmine crockett, chris brown, backlash, midterms, news, local
## An honor on stage
Rep. Jasmine Crockett appeared at a Chris Brown show in Arlington on Sept. 12 and announced that Brown and Usher would have their names entered into the Congressional Record.
## Her words that night
Crockett framed the recognition as documenting a cultural moment, then handed the stage back to Brown. He thanked the lawmakers on Instagram and posted a photo of her onstage.

> Right now, we are experiencing Black joy to the highest level, and I wanted to make sure we document that in the Congressional Record
## The criticism lands fast
Democratic strategist Ameshia Cross called it a ridiculous and tone deaf move. Author Roxane Gay called it a bizarre and unacceptable misstep.

> bizarre and unacceptable misstep
## No voters, no endorsement
Gay rejected the defense that the appearance was about turnout, pointing out that Crockett never mentioned voting or backed a candidate from the stage.

> She just flew on stage and gave a known abuser of Black women a congressional honor.
## Jones apologizes, Crockett doesn't
State Rep. Venton Jones apologized on Tuesday and named the people he hurt. Crockett has said nothing publicly about the presentation.

> I want to acknowledge the women, the Black women, whom my actions have hurt.
## Brown's record of violence
Brown was convicted of felony assault against Rihanna in 2009, charged with misdemeanor assault in 2013, and pleaded guilty in July to a 2023 London nightclub bottle attack.
## Two careers on the line
Jones faces Republican Jordan Hoffnagle on Nov. 3. Crockett lost the Senate primary to James Talarico this year and has not campaigned with him since.
## Key takeaway

A ceremonial honor costs a lawmaker nothing to give and everything to defend when the recipient has a record of violence against women.