Texas Senator Accuses State AG of Pushing Russian Propaganda
In a stark display of intra-party conflict, U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas (R) did not mince words in his criticism of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), accusing him of espousing Russian propaganda. This accusation came amidst a contentious debate over a $95.3 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, which has ignited a firestorm between two of Texas’ most prominent Republicans, according to the Houston Chronicle.
“Ken, your criminal defense lawyers are calling to suggest you spend less time pushing Russian propaganda and more time defending longstanding felony charges against you in Houston, as well as ongoing federal grand jury proceedings in San Antonio that will probably result in further criminal charges,” Cornyn sharply retorted on social media. This personal jab references Paxton’s myriad legal challenges, including accusations from 2011 related to securities fraud and an FBI investigation initiated by claims of corruption from his own senior aides.
The vitriol spilled over from Paxton’s critique of Cornyn’s support for the foreign aid bill, which Paxton derided on social media, suggesting Cornyn prioritized international interests over American ones. “Unbelievable that (Cornyn) would stay up all night to defend other countries’ borders, but not America,” Paxton lamented, positioning himself alongside former President Donald Trump and others in the GOP who question continued U.S. support for Ukraine amidst domestic challenges.
The Senate’s passage of the aid bill, supported by Cornyn but opposed by other GOP members, including U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, underscores the ideological split within the party. Cornyn defended his vote, emphasizing the complexity of global threats and the necessity of American leadership, even as the process and the bill’s contents left much to be desired. “Given the damage the Biden administration has done to our standing on the world stage, this bill represents a renewal of essential American leadership,” Cornyn asserted, juxtaposing national security interests with the internal GOP debate over border security and foreign policy priorities.
Cruz, contrasting Cornyn’s stance, underscored his opposition to the bill without significant border security enhancements, highlighting the ongoing struggle to balance foreign policy initiatives with domestic security concerns. “I cannot in good conscience support this bill without real, substantial additions to bolster border security,” Cruz stated, emphasizing the primacy of national defense in foreign aid considerations.
