Some conservatives blast Ted Cruz for calling Jan. 6 a 'violent terrorist attack'

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz faced harsh criticism from fellow Republicans and conservatives – including Fox News host Tucker Carlson – after calling the Jan. 6 uprising at the U.S. Capitol a “violent terrorist attack,” The Washington Examiner reported.

"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, incredible bravery, risk their lives for the Capitol,” Cruz said at a Senate Rules Committee oversight hearing on Wednesday.

"It is also worth asking,” Cruz added, addressing Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger, “What could have prevented the breach of the Capitol? What could have prevented the riot getting as far as it did?" 

Although Cruz has consistently condemned the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, he was one of eight senators to object to the Electoral College results after the 2020 election – ultimately joining Republican Rep. Paul Gosar in objecting to the Arizona Electoral College votes and thus prompting a joint session of Congress to debate the objection shortly before rioters breached the Capitol grounds.

It is, however, not the first time Sen. Cruz has called the Jan. 6 riot a terrorist attack.

“No one anticipated a terrorist attack on the United States Capitol,” he said on an episode of his Verdict with Ted Cruz podcast in January of last year.

He also used the phrasing in a May 28 press release, saying he did not support a “politically motivated January 6 Commission.” 

Nevertheless, his use of the term on the eve of the first anniversary of the Jan. 6 riots has angered many on the right – including prominent Fox News host Tucker Carlson. 

“Now, let’s be honest. Everybody who’s conservative appreciates Ted Cruz. May not like him, but you got to appreciate him. He’s legitimately smart, one of the most articulate people to serve in the Congress, maybe the most articulate. He doesn’t use a single word by accident,” Carlson said after playing a clip of Cruz on his show on Wednesday night. “Every word Ted Cruz uses is used intentionally. He’s a lawyer. He described Jan. 6 as a ‘violent terrorist attack.’” 

“Of all the things Jan. 6 was, it was definitely not a violent terrorist attack. It wasn’t an insurrection. Was it a riot? Sure. It was not a violent terrorist attack. Sorry,” Carlson said. 

“So why are you telling us that it was, Ted Cruz?” Carlson continued. “You’re making us think maybe the Republican Party is as worthless as we suspected it was.” 

Other conservatives also took to social media to criticize the Texas Republican. 

“The game is over, folks. Go home and get a life. You are wasting your time with the GOP,” tweeted Yossi Gestetner, director of the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council. 

Video of @tedcruz today that the Jan 6th mass trespassing event violently cracked down by police was a “violent terrorist attack on the capitol.”

The game is over, folks.

Go home and get a life.

You are wasting your time with the GOP. pic.twitter.com/0iU4p16ItE

— Yossi Gestetner (@YossiGestetner) January 5, 2022

“With all due respect to Cruz, it's difficult to see how ‘violent terrorist attack’ is either a descriptively accurate or a politically astute thing to say about J6. It is neither of those things,” Newsweek opinion editor Josh Hammer added.

“Cruz also commends Capitol police — you know, the cop who executed a female veteran? Doesn’t mention her name,” tweeted Julie Kelly, a writer for American Greatness. “Shameful performance today @SenTedCruz.” 

Blaze TV host Steve Deace kept it simple by simply tweeting, “No.” 

“I was in the LA riots. Save the fake fretting about ‘violence’ for the saps, the sheep, and the suckers,” Townhall columnist Kurt Schlichter tweeted.