Representative Jason Crow’s Journey in National Security
It was a lively evening in a bar in Bucharest, Romania, where Representative Jason Crow, a Democrat from Colorado and a former Army Ranger, had just ordered his second martini. Little did he know that his night was about to take a significant turn. As he savored his drink, his phone rang; it was none other than Representative Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House, who had an urgent proposition for him: How soon could he make his way to Ukraine?
This call came in April 2022, just weeks after the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which had ignited a global crisis. In a rush to be the first to visit the embattled country, two Republican lawmakers had already made their trip. Now, Ms. Pelosi was eager to arrange her own visit, and she sought Mr. Crow’s expertise, recognizing his national security background as a valuable asset in these challenging times.
Reflecting on that late-night phone call, it’s remarkable to consider how different things were when Mr. Crow first assumed office in 2019. At that time, the notion of receiving such a call from Ms. Pelosi felt improbable. He had campaigned as a centrist, openly criticizing the liberal agenda championed by Pelosi, and after defeating a Republican incumbent, he pledged that he would not support her bid for Speaker.
However, over the years, Mr. Crow has established himself as a credible and influential figure within the Democratic Party. His extensive credentials include three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he earned a Bronze Star, in addition to holding a law degree and having a background in private-sector investigations. These experiences have positioned him as a go-to lawmaker for Democratic leaders on complex national security matters.
Since then, Ms. Pelosi has consistently turned to Mr. Crow for critical responsibilities. In 2019, she appointed him to manage the first impeachment of President Donald J. Trump. He played a pivotal role in the whip operation, working tirelessly to garner support for legislation that allocated tens of billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine. Furthermore, he was selected as the leading Democrat on a subcommittee tasked with investigating the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
Most recently, Mr. Crow was named the senior Democrat on a bipartisan task force set up to investigate the attempted assassination of Mr. Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. His journey from a centrist newcomer to a key player in national security underscores the evolving dynamics within the Democratic Party and highlights the trust and reliance placed on him by his colleagues.
