U.S. Senator John Cornyn speaking tougher and tougher about the political games played by runaway Texas House Democrats rings hollow, given his alignment just two years ago with these same Democrats during the 2023 impeachment push against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, his Senate GOP primary rival. Through multiple press releases and posts on his X account implying he was the driving force, Cornyn recently announced that FBI Director Kash Patel has responded to his request to aid in locating the Democrats who fled to Illinois to break quorum. This comes amid escalating tensions over redistricting efforts, where Democrats like Texas House Democrat Caucus Chair Gene Wu and U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) have been vocal critics. Crockett, whose home could be redrawn out of her current district TX-30 under the proposed maps, has lambasted Paxton for pursuing the missing lawmakers, calling him “the last person who should be talking about hunting anyone down,” citing his impeachment as the reason. This is not the first time Cornyn pro-Trump facade has been questioned as Loomer Unleashed recently revealed that his campaign ads have been funded by donors who backed anti-Trump figures like Nikki Haley.
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Hypocrisy in the Spotlight
Senator Cornyn is now posturing as a hardliner against the theatrical stunts pulled off by Texas legislators, as shown in this X post: “@FBIDirectorKash has responded to my request to assist state & local law enforcement locate the runaway Texas House Democrats and investigate potential offenses. Thank you Director Patel for your swift response & action!”
This rhetoric sounds like the flip flopping you would expect from a career politician when you compare it with his actions just two years ago during Paxton’s impeachment proceedings, where he vocally backed the effort and legitimized it, calling the inquiry “just the tip of the iceberg.” Cornyn never questioned Texas House Democratic runaways like Caucus Chair Gene Wu, who voted in favor of impeaching Paxton and posted on June 29, 2023: “Does the Texas House need to impeach Paxton on MORE charges?”
Meanwhile, Jasmine Crockett, who previously served as a Texas state representative for the 100th district before her election to Congress in 2022, condemned Republicans after Paxton’s acquittal, stating: “With this full acquittal, Texas Republicans have failed at the most basic responsibilities of their service—to hold corruption to account.”
Notably, Crockett has used Paxton’s impeachment to attack his orders calling Texas Democrats back to the capitol to vote, posting: “Ken Paxton wants to arrest Democrats for fleeing…but where was he when he ran from the law?” Despite evidence showing the contrary, Cornyn and Crockett sentiments both portrayed Paxton as corrupt and unworthy of the office of Texas Attorney General.
Trump’s Fiery Defense of Paxton
President Donald Trump meanwhile staunchly defended Paxton during the impeachment saga, highlighting yet another instance where Cornyn differs from Trump. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared: “Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was easily re-elected last November, but now establishment RINOS are trying to undo that Election with a shameful impeachment of him. Who would replace Paxton, one of the TOUGHEST & BEST Attorney Generals in the Country? Could it be a Democrat, or even worse, a RINO? The voters have decided who they want! Democrats are feeling very good right now as they watch, as usual, the Republicans fight & eat away at each other. It’s a SAD day in the Great State of Texas!”
Paxton’s Unyielding Pursuit
In sharp contrast to Cornyn’s strongly worded statements about the missing lawmakers, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken decisive action against the rogue lawmakers. He issued a press release announcing that the continued refusal of Texas House Democrats to perform their legislative duties constitutes abandonment of office, and he will pursue court rulings to declare their seats vacant. This was more likely the key component of pressure that resulted in Democrats scurrying back to Texas “Starting Friday, any rogue lawmakers refusing to return to the House will be held accountable for vacating their office,” Paxton recently said. “The people of Texas elected lawmakers, not jet-setting runaways looking for headlines. If you don’t show up to work, you get fired.”
A Pattern of Political Facades
Senator Cornyn’s statements on federal assistance in tracking the runaways appear as yet another performative gesture that mirrors past campaign tactics where he tries to appear more MAGA than he really is. In Texas politics, loyalty and action define legacies, such discrepancies could prove costly. Will Cornyn’s latest hypocrisy awaken Texas Republican voters to question his trustworthiness? Only time will tell.
