Hours after returning to Texas following backlash over a family vacation, Senator Ted Cruz said that their Cancun trip was a mistake. He said that “in hindsight, I wouldn’t have done it,” knowing full well that his home state is experiencing a severe winter storm.
RELATED: Ted Cruz Travels to Cancun, Mexico as Millions Deal with Historic Winter Storm
Second Thoughts On The Plane
The Republican senator faced reporters as he came home to his Houston home Thursday evening. He received heavy criticism for leaving the state while fellow Texans endured freezing temperatures without electricity and heat. “I started having second thoughts almost the moment I sat down on the plane because, on the one hand, all of us who are parents have a responsibility to take care of our kids, take care of our family. That’s something Texans have been doing across the state,” said Cruz. He earlier explained that he flew to Mexico because his daughters asked for the trip and he was trying to be a good father.
“But I also have a responsibility that I take very seriously for the state of Texas and frankly, leaving when so many Texans were hurting didn’t feel right and so I changed my return flight and flew back on the first available flight I could take,” he added.
Cruz Said He Understands the Anger
Despite admitting that the Cancun trip was a mistake, Cruz said he understands the anger many Texans feel. “Of course, I understand why people are upset. Listen, we’re in a strange time where Twitter’s been going crazy and the media is going crazy and there’s a lot of venom and vitriol that I think is unfortunate frankly on both sides,” Cruz said.
The senator asked that everyone should treat each other with respect and decency, especially during a time of crisis. He confirmed that his daughters “asked to take a trip with friends” so he flew down. Witnesses reported seeing Cruz boarding a flight Wednesday at Houston IAH airport bound for Cancun, Mexico. He claimed he flew down last night and returned the next afternoon.
He assured everybody that he remained in touch with his staff. “My staff and I are in constant communication with state and local leaders to get to the bottom of what happened in Texas. We want our power back, our water on, and our homes warm. My team and I will continue using all our resources to keep Texans informed and safe,” he said in an earlier statement.
Not Just For A Night
However, texts sent by Cruz’s wife Heidi showed a different plan. She asked friends earlier if “Anyone can or want to leave for the week?” the Times reported Thursday. She also said that they might go to Cancun via direct flight. In addition, she said their house was freezing, and suggested they stay in Cancun until Sunday, and mentioned they stayed at the Cancun Ritz-Carlton in previous vacations.
Cruz insisted he only planned for an overnight trip. Even his staff didn’t know he flew to Mexico until pictures of Cruz in the airport appeared on social media. Texas State Representative Gene Wu, a Democrat from southwest Houston, tweeted Cruz’s photo. He said that Cruz was flying south “while the state was freezing to death and having to boil water.” Meanwhile, the senator remained quiet on social media Thursday.
Stay Home
Prior to his trip and in a radio interview Monday, Cruz told people to “stay home” and not take the risk. “Keep your family safe and just stay home and hug your kids,” he added. As a senator, Crus is an elected official that does not have responsibilities on the ground. However, constituents usually reach out to elected officials for assistance during disasters.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) received much of the blame for the lack of electricity. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said they will initiate an investigation of ERCOT next week.
Loading ...Do you agree with Senator Ted Cruz in saying his Cancun trip was a mistake while his home state is in a state of emergency? Or, do you think it shouldn’t be a problem, given he has a family to take care of. Let us know what you think about the Senator by sharing your comments below.
