Rep. Jasmine Crockett Condemns Claims Linking Wildfires to DEI Initiatives

Rep. Jasmine Crockett strongly countered political commentator Scott Jennings after he attempted to link the recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. During a CNN Newsnight debate, Jennings argued that programs encouraging people of color and women to pursue careers in firefighting contributed to the lack of swift containment of the fires.“We have DEI, we have budget cuts, and yet I’m wondering now if your house was burning down, how much do you care what color the firefighters are?” Jennings asked, referencing California’s Fire Foundry program.

The Fire Foundry program, launched in Marin County, California, is a one-year initiative aimed at increasing diversity within firefighting by recruiting women and people of color. According to NPR, the fire service workforce in the U.S. is overwhelmingly male (90%) and predominantly white (85%), as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Rep. Crockett quickly refuted Jennings’ claims, pointing out the flawed logic behind his argument.

 “Because you are a woman or because  because I know that some of the right has been sharing these photos of the fact that I believe that the fire chief may be a woman or something  that has nothing to do with it,” Crockett explained.

She emphasized that DEI initiatives are about expanding opportunities and recognizing qualifications across all demographics. Open it up and recognize that other people can be qualified,’” Crockett continued. She also called out Jennings for implying that only white men are capable firefighters. “Stop trying to act as if only white men are the ones that are capable, because right now, you’re sitting at a table with three very capable Black women.”

The wildfires in Los Angeles County have been catastrophic. According to the Associated Press, at least five people have died, and thousands of structures have been destroyed as winds exceeding 70 mph fueled the flames. Accu Weather estimates the damage and economic loss could total between $52 billion and $57 billion, marking this as the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history. The death toll is expected to rise as search efforts continue in devastated neighborhoods.