Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) confirmed on Monday that a former security staffer assigned to her Senate campaign died in a standoff with Dallas police last week.
Diamon Mazairre Robinson, 39, apparently went by the name “Mike King” while working for Crockett. The congresswoman and her campaign were unaware of his double life.
Crockett said her team “followed all protocols outlined by the House to contract additional security” and that it had been approved to hire the man.
“The fact that an individual was able to somehow circumvent the vetting processes for something as sensitive as security for members of Congress highlights the loopholes and shortcomings in many of our systems,” Crockett said in a statement. “This is incredibly alarming, especially for those members who receive high volumes of credible and sophisticated death threats.”
“We are fortunate that this is someone who used those loopholes without malice,” she added.
Robinson was killed by police last Wednesday in the parking lot of a children’s hospital, where he barricaded himself in his car. Officers used tear gas to flush him out, but they opened fire when they saw him reach for a firearm while exiting the vehicle.
A video of the encounter, captured by officers’ body cameras, was later released by authorities.
At a press conference on Monday, Dallas police said Robinson had “multiple felony warrants” and a parole violation warrant. The active warrants were related to his impersonation of a police officer and stolen license plates.
Following the shooting of her former security member, Crockett said her team was “unable to locate any violent offenses” committed by Robinson.
“There was never any reason to suspect that he wasn’t who he held himself out to be,” she said. “He never endangered our team, worked diligently, coordinated with local law enforcement, and maintained positive relationships throughout the community. Mike always conducted himself respectfully and with care for those around him.”
The Texas Democrat argued the hiring of a man with a fake identity proves the need for U.S. Capitol Police to directly provide security for members of Congress. The police force generally patrols the Capitol grounds and investigates threats against lawmakers.
When President Donald Trump called six Democratic lawmakers “traitors” last fall for urging service members to defy his administration, Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) said Capitol Police approached her and her colleagues and said they would be given “24/7 security.”
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Slotkin was joined by Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Reps. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), and Jason Crow (D-CO).
Besides them, constant Capitol Police details are regularly provided to top members of Congress in leadership positions.
