Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) called the January 6 insurrection of Capitol Hill a terrorist attack - and right-wingers are losing their minds.
On Wednesday, Cruz, who was one of the eight GOP senators to oppose President Joe Biden’s election on January 6, faced backlash after calling the riots a “violent terrorist attack on the Capitol.”
“We are approaching a solemn anniversary this week. And it is an anniversary of a violent terrorist attack on the Capitol, where we saw the men and women of law enforcement demonstrate incredible courage,” Cruz noted in a Senate Rules Committee hearing (via The Daily Beast).
This caught the attention of Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who was not pleased.
On Wednesday night, Carlson first took shots at Attorney General Merrick Garland for calling the riot an attack on the seat of our democracy.”
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While criticising the attorney general for his quest to hold those responsible for the horrific day accountable, Carlson implied that the Department of Justice was not pursuing certain suspects in the riots on purpose.
“He did not mention the pipe bomber. That individual was caught on surveillance tape. The pipe bomber was on a phone several times. That’s traceable. Where is that person? Merrick Garland did not mention that,” Carlson said, which was a reference to the individual who was unidentified that left explosive devices near the Capitol.
When it came to Cruz, Carlson said that “everyone who’s conservative” has an appreciation for him regardless of whether they like him or not.
He also said that Cruz was “one of the more articulate people to serve in Congress.”
However, Carlson then mocked Cruz and the idea that anyone could believe that an insurrection occurred when a mop Trump supporters stomped the Capitol to overthrow an election they believed was stolen.
“He described January 6 as a violent terrorist attack. Of all the things January 6 was, it was definitely not a violent terrorist attack. It wasn’t an insurrection,” Carlson exclaimed. “Was it a riot? Sure. It was not a violent terrorist attack. Sorry! So why are you telling us it was, Ted Cruz?”
Ted Cruz has been getting hammered all day by MAGAs outraged by his speech today that J6 was a “terrorist attack on the Capitol.” It started this morning with Steve Bannon, and tonight here is Tucker attacking Ted. pic.twitter.com/jeqRV5MCcu
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) January 6, 2022
Carlson is among the many other right-wing figures who believe that the insurrection was not a terrorist attack, and they took to Twitter to voice their feelings.
Who got to Ted Cruz? pic.twitter.com/KiMAimcnbi
— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) January 6, 2022
Obama judge on the left.
— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) January 5, 2022
Ted Cruz on the right.
No difference. pic.twitter.com/MihRB1qGeo
“A violent terrorist attack” come on @tedcruz you sound like @AdamKinzinger. Was it wrong? Sure… but it wasn’t an insurrection and it damn sure wasn’t a “terrorist attack!” #January6 #tedcruz pic.twitter.com/AQXIcOqLT6
— Grant Stinchfield (@stinchfield1776) January 5, 2022
Hey @tedcruz meet Ashli Babbitt… Ashli was not a terrorist. 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/T3eGKB3inS
— Gunther Eagleman L.E.O. Retired (@GuntherEagleman) January 6, 2022
I’m glad Ted Cruz showed his true colors yesterday.
— Tim Swain (@SwainForSenate) January 6, 2022
The lesson to be learned there is that outside of the few standouts who’ve spoken out against the treatment of the 1/6 prisoners, the rest feel just the same as Cruz does. If they’ve been silent then they aren’t on our team.
Hey Ted Cruz, the only violent terrorist attack that occurred on January 6th was Michael Byrd shot and killed unarmed Airforce Veteran Ashli Babbitt!
— Shellie Ratliff (@Shellie_Ratliff) January 6, 2022
Cruz, alongside Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), helped former President Trump incite the atrocities on Capitol Hill on January 6.
Cruz and Hawley led the effort to toss the 2020 election by objecting to the state results while a mob was forming outside the building.
After the siege of the Capitol, many senators urged for the resignation of the Cruz and Hawley, citing that consequences needed to be enacted.
“I call on Senators Hawley and Cruz to resign and accept the responsibility which they so clearly bear,” said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).