John Cornyn mocked Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over his ongoing legal issues in a tense social media exchange over the senator’s vote in support of a foreign aid bill.
Cornyn, a Texas Republican, was among the 22 GOP senators who voted in support of a $95 billion bill to provide aid to Israel and Ukraine. The bill passed with bipartisan support but sparked the ire of conservatives, who have argued that the money should instead be spent to secure the U.S.-Mexico border amid an uptick in migrant arrivals.
Paxton, a staunch conservative, knocked Cornyn for the vote in a post to X, formerly Twitter, writing that it is “unbelievable” he would “stay up all night to defend other countries borders, but not America.”
Cornyn hit back at Paxton in his own post, highlighting the embattled attorney general’s legal woes.
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“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 wrote.
A spokesperson for Cornyn declined to comment when reached by Newsweek via email. Newsweek also reached out to Paxton’s office for comment via email.
Paxton has faced accusations of retaliation against two former aides who claimed they were fired after reporting the attorney general to the FBI for allegedly accepting bribes and other misconduct.
He has denied engaging in any wrongdoing, describing the legal proceedings as an “unjustifiable waste of taxpayer resources and an intolerable distraction that risks compromising critical state business.” In January, Paxton was handed a legal loss after Judge Catherine Mauzy rejected his effort to avoid a trial.
Cornyn also referred to an August 2023 report from The Austin American-Statesman that a federal grand jury was meeting on an inquiry related to Paxton. Details about the inquiry remained unknown, and no charges have been brought against Paxton in the case.
Cornyn’s response to Paxton drew mixed reception from others on X.
“Texas Senator — TEXAS!! — Cornyn says if you care about securing the US border, you’re a Russian. These people HATE America and its citizens. And they’re shockingly stupid,” posted Mollie Hemingway, editor-in-chief of The Federalist.
“Thinking OUR border is more important than Ukraine’s border is “Russian propaganda?” Resign!” posted attorney Will Chamberlain.
Others, however, showed support for Cornyn.
“Thank you for ignoring the pro-Putin wing of the GOP and doing the right thing,” posted the account Republicans Against Trump.
“Damn! Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn is sparring with Texas Republican AG Ken Paxton—highlighting his felony trial and potential criminal charges. Paxton is a Trump hatchet-man and a top Putin apologist,” posted Democratic strategist Sawyer Hackett.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.