Sen. Ted Cruz slammed former CIA Director John Brennan for siding with “Iranian zealots” while “reflexively condemning Israel.”
“It’s bizarre to see a former head of the CIA consistently side with Iranian zealots who chant ‘Death to America.’ And reflexively condemn Israel. Does Joe Biden agree?” The Texas Republican tweeted in response to Brennan calling the recent assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist “highly reckless.”
It’s bizarre to see a former head of the CIA consistently side with Iranian zealots who chant “Death to America.”
And reflexively condemn Israel.
Does Joe Biden agree? https://t.co/H38OB1ejCr
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 27, 2020
Brennan responded to Cruz’s attack by calling the senator “unworthy” of representing his constituents.
“It is typical for you to mischaracterize my comment,” Brennan said. “Your lawless attitude & simple-minded approach to serious national security matters demonstrate that you are unworthy to represent the good people of Texas.”
It is typical for you to mischaracterize my comment. Your lawless attitude & simple-minded approach to serious national security matters demonstrate that you are unworthy to represent the good people of Texas. https://t.co/93WwclgAtS
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) November 27, 2020
Brennan went on to criticize Cruz in several other tweets, including one that called him a “poor Senator” and a “bad lawyer,” after Cruz retweeted a post questioning whether Brennan violated the Logan Act.
In contrast, an individual tapped to be National Security Advisor (but not yet one) in an incoming Administration who privately contacts a foreign government official & advises how to conduct relations with the U.S. could be in violation of the Logan Act.
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) November 28, 2020
“Gosh, I touched a nerve. Facts matter,” Cruz shot back. “FACT 1: you’ve admitted, in 1976 you voted for the Communist candidate for President because, I guess, Jimmy Carter wasn’t liberal enough for you. FACT 2: you gave $150 Bn to Ayatollah Khamenei, knowing it would be used to kill Americans.”
Gosh, I touched a nerve.
Facts matter.FACT 1: you’ve admitted, in 1976 you voted for the Communist candidate for President because, I guess, Jimmy Carter wasn’t liberal enough for you.
FACT 2: you gave $150 Bn to Ayatollah Khamenei, knowing it would be used to kill Americans. https://t.co/zKYGTaqov0
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 28, 2020
Cruz continued: “Ok, let’s apply your proffered standard: Ben Rhodes has publicly stated, ‘foreign leaders are already having phone calls with Joe Biden, talking about the agenda they’re going to pursue on Jan. 20.’ Does that mean you think Joe Biden should be prosecuted under the Logan Act?”
The only coherent answer is NO, neither Biden nor Gen. Flynn violated the Logan Act bc it’s unconstitutional—which is why nobody has been convicted of violating it in the history of the US.
But you want to use it as a partisan cudgel, a weapon to attack your political opponents.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 28, 2020
Brennan, who led the CIA for almost four years during the Obama administration, was widely criticized for his response to the assassination by many who pointed out the administration’s record dealing with Iran and Israel.
The assassinated scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was considered the top architect of Iran’s nuclear program and was killed in broad daylight by what news outlets are describing as “terrorists.” However, Iran has blamed Israel.
