What You Need to Know About Virgin Islands Del. Stacey Plaskett
Del. Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands made history this week when she led the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. This made her the "first non-voting member of the House of Representatives to serve as an impeachment manager," People reports.
She's been making headlines all week, not only for the things that she's saying at the podium, presenting harrowing videos from the January 6 capitol riots but also for a now-unforgettable fashion choice: a cape dress on the Senate floor.
Who is Del. Stacey Plaskett?
According to her official website, Plaskett "represents the United States Virgin Islands' at-large Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives." She's serving her fourth term. Currently, she serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as well as the House Committee on Agriculture. She is also involved with the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, serving as Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on the Interior, Energy, and Environment.
During the trial, Plaskett recounted her time growing up in Brooklyn public housing and returning to the Virgin Islands to be its delegate back in 2014. Before that, she served as assistant district attorney for the Bronx District Attorney's Office and senior counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Plaskett was also the only elected Black woman in the Senate chamber during hearings on Wednesday.
"I recognize … that I'm an example for them, for young women, young girls of color, and even for those who are not — because as other people who are not of color see our brilliance, our excellence, they recognize that there's so much we have to offer as well," she told NowThis.
How is she involved with the impeachment trial?
CNN reports that lead House impeachment manager Jamie Raskin commended Plaskett's role in the trial, saying, "This is a moment of special pride for me," adding that Plaskett is "the first delegate ever to be on a team of impeachment managers in American history."
There's an important distinction between a delegate and a representative: Plaskett is a delegate because she represents a U.S. territory. She doesn't cast votes on the House floor. Because of that, she wasn't allowed to vote on the House's impeachment trial. Now, she's serving as a prosecutor against Trump during the Senate's hearing. Plaskett is one of nine impeachment managers.
"I've learned throughout my life that preparation and truth can carry you far, can allow you to speak truth to power. I've learned that as a young Black girl growing up in the projects in Brooklyn, a housing community on St. Croix, sent to the most unlikeliest of settings and now as an adult woman representing an island territory speaking to the U.S. Senate," Plaskett said during the trial this week.
She changed her political affiliation
According to The Washington Post, Plaskett was a Republican until 2008. She served at the Justice Department during President George W. Bush's administration. Plaskett said that she considered the Democratic party to be an "old boys club" when she younger, but changed her mind when she saw it as a place where she could share new ideas.
She has a Facebook Live Series
Plaskett hosts Coffee with Stacey, a Facebook Live show every Saturday morning. Past guests include Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Black Lives Matter leaders, and more.
She met Chris Evans
Are there other delegates?
According to the House of Representatives website, "Currently, there are five delegates representing the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. A resident commissioner represents Puerto Rico. The delegates and resident commissioner possess the same powers as other members of the House, except that they may not vote when the House is meeting as the House of Representatives."
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