Backlash in the South Over Hot Wheels and Heated Debates

Two Southern Black lawmakers are at the center of national discourse this week— and not just for politics.

From left to right: Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), Rep. Andrew Farmer (R-TN), Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R), and Rep. Justin J. Pearson (D-TN) | Image created by the author via Canva

Democratic reps Jasmine Crockett (TX) and Justin Pearson (TN) have faced intense criticism this week for speaking boldly about issues in their communities. In a political climate increasingly hostile to opposition, especially from Black lawmakers, critics argue that their actions were unbecoming of elected officials.

While some supporters stood behind their actions, both Crockett and Pearson have been accused of crossing the line and being punished for similar or worse remarks made by Republicans — with some even calling for their censure.

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Crockett’s ‘Hot Wheels’ Comment Sparks Backlash

Last Saturday, on March 22, during a Human Rights Campaign event speech, Jasmine Crockett referred to Texas Governor Greg Abbott as “Governor Hot Wheels,” a comment that quickly drew backlash. Critics accused her of mocking Abbott’s disability — who’s been using a wheelchair since an accident in 1984. However, Crockett took to X in an attempt to clarify her statement.

“I wasn’t thinking about the governor’s condition—I was thinking about the planes, trains, and automobiles he used to transfer migrants into communities led by Black mayors,” she wrote. “The next line I said was that he was a 'Hot A** Mess,' referencing his terrible policies.”

Despite her clarification, Rep. Randy Weber (R) introduced a resolution days later to formally censure Crockett in the U.S. House of Representatives. The resolution accuses her of acting in a manner “unbecoming of a Member of Congress” and cites this as the latest in a series of “inflammatory” statements.

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Pearson Faces Criticism Over Intense Debate

Meanwhile, in Tennessee, Rep. Justin J. Pearson is again in the spotlight after a confrontation during a tense March 26 debate on gun legislation. The incident escalated from Republican Rep. Andrew Farmer questioning Pearson's recent absence from the House. Pearson responded by revealing that he had been grieving the loss of his brother, Timphrance Darnell Pearson, who died by suicide last December from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

A video circulated on social media appears to show Pearson moving toward Rep. Andrew Farmer during a heated moment on the House floor. Right-wing figures and lawmakers have seized on the video, accusing Pearson of aggressive behavior.

Tennessee Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R) posted on X that Pearson’s actions were “an embarrassment to the great State of Tennessee” and likened him to Crockett, accusing both of promoting violence through extreme rhetoric. Calls for his censure have grown online, though no formal resolution has yet been filed.

In response to the criticism, Pearson released a statement clarifying the context of the incident and defending his commitment to public service: “Not being physically present in Nashville this session does not mean I have shirked my responsibilities as a state representative,” Pearson wrote. “I have not been idle. To be told… to sit down and shut up because I had not been physically present was disrespectful to my service, my district, and my family,” he added. “I will never let anyone disenfranchise my district from due representation.”

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Outrage or Hypocrisy?

Supporters of both lawmakers have pushed back against what they call targeted political punishment. “Pearson is consistently attacked and disrespected by the GOP-controlled government,” one user wrote on X. “He never backs down from this legislative bullying.”

Another thread pointed out that Pearson was responding to what he viewed as “systemic injustice” and “reckless gun policy” that disproportionately harm communities like his in Memphis. Similarly, Crockett’s defenders called out the hypocrisy of conservative outrage. “The very people who unequivocally support Trump—a man known for racially insensitive nicknames and mocking those with disabilities—are now outraged,” Crockett herself noted.

Both lawmakers are known for their fiery stances in deeply conservative states. Pearson was expelled from the Tennessee House in April 2023 for leading a gun control protest on the floor but was later reinstated following national outcry. Crockett, meanwhile, made headlines last year during a heated exchange with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, in which she forcefully pushed back against personal attacks — a moment that quickly went viral and further cemented her no-nonsense political style.

While it’s too early to tell what political consequences either will face, it remains to be seen whether the House—already bitterly divided—will punish Crockett and Pearson for their actions or confront the larger hypocrisies their critics would rather ignore.

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13 & South is a new publication covering news, investigative stories, and insights on social justice, policy, and systemic inequities impacting Southern Black communities. I value your insights, and feedback and invite your perspectives to contribute to future issues. Please feel free to contact me here or follow me on my socials! LinkedIn, Twitter, IG, BlueSky, and Threads.

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