Cruz On Anti-Cop Violence: We’re Seeing The ‘Manifestation’ Of Obama’s Rhetoric

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 27: Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks with reporters following the Senate Republicans' policy lunch on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) (CQ Roll Call via AP Images)
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) suggested President Obama bore some of the blame for Friday’s fatal shooting of a sheriff’s deputy in Houston, Texas. During a campaign stop in New Hampshire, Cruz told reporters that “cops across this country are feeling the assault” thanks to the “vilification” of law enforcement by administration officials, the Dallas Morning News reported.

“These are brave heroes who risk their lives keeping us safe,” Cruz said. “And I do think we’re seeing the manifestation of the rhetoric and vilification of law enforcement, of police, that is coming from the president of the United States and it’s coming from senior officials.”

Cruz’s comments come just days after Harris County deputy Darren Goforth was shot 15 times while pumping gas at a Houston Chevron station. No motive has yet been found for the killing, but the alleged shooter, Shannon Miles, has been charged with capital murder.

Local authorities, including Harris County Sherriff Ron Hickman, believe Goforth “was a target because he wore a uniform.”

Cruz suggested President Obama’s condemnation of the fatal shootings of unarmed black teenagers in cities including Ferguson, Missouri and Baltimore, Maryland helped to inflame anti-cop sentiment.

“I’m proud to stand with law enforcement,” Cruz said. “We need a president who doesn’t attack and vilify them, and who doesn’t seek to tear us apart along racial lines, to inflame racial divisions.”

Latest Livewire

Notable Replies

  1. Cruz: "We need a president who doesn’t … seek to tear us apart along racial lines, to inflame racial divisions.”

    Projection: (Noun) The externalization of blame, guilt, or responsibility as a defense. (See “GOP”.)

  2. Friendless people are dangerous.

  3. I think violence against cops will be Obama’s Katrina…

  4. Teabaggers got no love for cops, unless they’re shootin’ black people.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

24 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for littlegirlblue Avatar for ncsteve Avatar for mattinpa Avatar for bikerdad Avatar for clunkertruck Avatar for theod Avatar for opinionated1 Avatar for tigersharktoo Avatar for irasdad Avatar for mickeyg Avatar for sniffit Avatar for chatterboxing Avatar for ralph_vonholst Avatar for ottnott Avatar for maxaroo Avatar for ilmoro1020 Avatar for barblzz Avatar for dickweed Avatar for emilianoelmexicano Avatar for jayhiker Avatar for castorita Avatar for edhedh Avatar for sevin

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: