Ted Cruz says Democrats will ‘politicize’ Texas school shooting
Joe Erwin
Ted Cruz, predictably, began with prayers — and quickly pivoted to politics.
As 14 students and a teacher were shot dead at a Texas elementary school, the Republican senator tried to demonize Democrats, saying they’d be coming after guns.
Sen. Ted Cruz
Sen. Ted Cruz (Mariam Zuhaib/)
When a mass shooting happens, Cruz told reporters, “You see politicians try to politicize it,” he said. “You see Democrats and a lot of folks in the media whose immediate solution is to try to restrict the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.”
Cruz’s only solution seems to the be thoughts-and-prayers approach common to GOP lawmakers.
Kladys Castellón prays during a vigil for the victims of a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Law enforcement officers speak together outside of Robb Elementary School following the mass shooting on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. According to reports, 19 students and 2 adults were killed, with the gunman fatally shot by law enforcement.
A person sits next to a vehicle outside of the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. According to reports, 19 students and 2 adults were killed, with the gunman fatally shot by law enforcement.
Mourners attend a vigil at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for victims of a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. According to reports, 19 students and 2 adults were killed before the gunman was fatally shot by law enforcement.
People pray at Sacred Heart Church Tuesday evening, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas after a gunman earlier in the day entered Robb Elementary School and killed multiple children and adults.
The home of suspected gunman, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, is cordoned off with police tape on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. According to reports, Ramos killed 19 students and 2 adults in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School before being fatally shot by law enforcement.
Law enforcement work the scene after a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School where 21 people, including 19 children, were killed on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. The suspected gunman, identified as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, was reportedly killed by law enforcement.
The archbishop of San Antonio, Gustavo Garcia-Siller, right, comforts families outside the Civic Center following a deadly school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Members of the community gather at the City of Uvalde Town Square for a prayer vigil in the wake of a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. According to reports, 19 students and 2 adults were killed before the gunman was fatally shot by law enforcement.
An officer walks outside of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022.
Law enforcement personnel stand outside Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
A law enforcement officer speaks with people outside Uvalde High School after shooting a was reported earlier in the day at Robb Elementary School, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement, and other first responders, gather outside Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
A law enforcement officer speaks with people outside Uvalde High School after shooting a was reported earlier in the day at Robb Elementary School, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement personnel stand next to an armored vehicle outside Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Emergency personnel gather near Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
A law enforcement officer helps people cross the street at Uvalde Memorial Hospital after a shooting was reported earlier in the day at Robb Elementary School, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement personnel, including the FBI, gather near Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement personnel walk outside Uvalde High School after shooting a was reported earlier in the day at Robb Elementary School, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement, and other first responders, gather outside Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
A law enforcement officer helps people cross the street at Uvalde Memorial Hospital after a shooting was reported earlier in the day at Robb Elementary School, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
People react outside the Civic Center in Uvalde, Texas, Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Police walk near Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Police walk near Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
People wait outside of the Civic Center in Uvalde, Texas, Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Police walk near Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
People sit on the curb outside of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022.
A welcome sign is seen outside of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022.
“Heidi & I are fervently lifting up in prayer the children and families in the horrific shooting in Uvalde,” he tweeted shortly after news broke of the shooting in the town about 85 miles west of San Antonio.
Cruz reportedly received the most money from guns-rights donors of any candidate in the 2018 election — more than $300,000. The National Rifle Association’s annual meeting is scheduled from Friday-Sunday in Houston, with Cruz listed as joining former President Donald Trump, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other firearm firebrands at the NRA’s “Leadership Forum” Friday.
