Rep. Crockett and Alveda King exchange sharp words at House Judiciary hearing on SPLC funding

A House Judiciary Committee hearing on the Southern Poverty Law Center's funding turned contentious when Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, used her allotted time to challenge the Republican majority's decision to invite Alveda King, a conservative civil rights activist and niece of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., as a witness alongside SPLC president Bryan Fair.

Crockett stated that "the vast majority on that side of the aisle… are White men" who were "lecturing people of color," and argued that Republicans had brought in someone bearing the "Doctor King" name to confuse the public into believing MLK himself would have endorsed their criticism of the SPLC. She suggested Republicans would be better served inviting Martin Luther King III or Bernice King, describing them as better representatives of the civil rights icon's teachings. Crockett also accused Republicans of hypocrisy in targeting the SPLC's alleged funding of hate groups, citing President Trump's 2017 remarks following the Charlottesville white supremacist rally.

Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, gaveled out Crockett's time and yielded to Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., who gave Alveda King an opportunity to respond. King said she was "a bit emotional" and identified herself as "legitimately the daughter of Reverend Alfred Daniel Williams King and Dr. Naomi Ruth Barber King" — A.D. King being Martin Luther King Jr.'s brother. She said she loved Crockett and closed with "God bless you." According to Fox News, Crockett had left the hearing room before King delivered her response.