Tag: Chip Roy

Cruz, Paxton issue dueling endorsements in Texas attorney general GOP primary

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Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday endorsed his former top deputy, Aaron Reitz, to succeed him, giving Reitz a significant boost in the four-candidate Republican primary to be Texas’ top civil lawyer.

Paxton’s endorsement comes after Sen. Ted Cruz, a former solicitor general of Texas, backed Rep. Chip Roy for attorney general. Both Reitz and Roy have served as Paxton’s legal deputies and Cruz’s chief of staff throughout their tenures.

But while Paxton and Roy publicly split in 2020, when Roy called for Paxton to step down after the attorney general’s senior staff reported him to the FBI for alleged bribery and abuse of office, Reitz has positioned himself as the heir to Paxton’s movement, calling himself the attorney general’s “offensive coordinator.”

In his endorsement, Paxton agreed with that assessment, crediting Reitz with handling some of the office’s most high-profile — and controversial — cases.

“He drove our Texas v. Biden docket and spearheaded some of our most consequential battles — on border security, immigration, Big Tech, Covid tyranny, energy and the environment, pro-life, Second Amendment, religious liberty, free speech, and election integrity,” Paxton said in a statement. “Aaron Reitz is the only candidate who is fully vetted, battle-tested, proven, and ready to be Attorney General.”

Reitz and Roy’s careers working for prominent Texas Republicans have mirrored each other in numerous ways.

Roy was the first top aide tapped by both Cruz and Paxton in their current roles. He served as Cruz’s first chief of staff from 2012 through 2014, helping pioneer Cruz’s strategy during the 2013 government shutdown over Obamacare, and then was hired by Paxton as the newly elected attorney general’s first assistant attorney general.

Roy held that position as Paxton’s second in command through early 2016, at which point Roy left after Paxton incited a dramatic staff shake-up in the wake of the embattled attorney general’s first legal troubles. Roy went on to be elected to Congress in a Central Texas district in 2018, a position he has held ever since.

Reitz’s career played out in the reverse order. He was Paxton’s deputy attorney general for legal affairs from 2020 to 2023 before leaving to be Cruz’s chief of staff through early 2025. He then went on to a short stint at the Department of Justice this year before resigning to announce his run for attorney general.

Cruz, a former Texas solicitor general under then-Attorney General Greg Abbott, endorsed Roy on Saturday. While noting that Texas is “blessed” to have a strong slate of conservatives running for the position and that he is friends with each candidate, Cruz said he has known Roy for nearly two decades and, during that time, Roy has consistently displayed the “courage, integrity and conviction” required to be attorney general.

“As my very first chief of staff, Chip has been a close friend and ally of mine for over 12 years,” Cruz said in a statement. “We have been in more fights together than I can count, and I know Chip will always, always, always fight for conservative values.”

Both Cruz and Paxton had previously been letting the attorney general race, the first prominent statewide seat to open up for Texas Republicans in years, play out without weighing in. But Roy’s entry into the race Thursday appears to have upended both men’s calculations.

Roy received further endorsements from some of Congress’ most conservative members, including a fellow Texan, Rep. Keith Self of McKinney. He also won the backing of Reps. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, Byron Donalds, R-Florida, and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah.

State Sens. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston and Joan Huffman, R-Houston are also running to succeed Paxton. Paxton is forgoing running for a fourth term to instead challenge Sen. John Cornyn in a primary.

Both Reitz and Roy have positioned themselves as the ideological heirs to Paxton’s conservative legal movement, which has put Texas at the forefront of high-profile cases on religious liberty, abortion and election law.

Calling himself the “only pro-Paxton candidate in the race”, Reitz pledged to continue his old boss’ fights.

“Under Ken Paxton, Texas has been a shining example for the conservative movement on how to fight and win against the enemies of Law, Order, and Liberty,” Reitz said in a statement. “My promise to Texans is that I will keep my foot on the gas and energetically carry on Paxton’s legacy.”

Though Paxton and Roy have split over the former’s conduct, Roy said in an interview with conservative radio host Mark Davis Thursday that the two share a similar conservative worldview.

“Ken and his team have done a great job fighting to defend Texas,” Roy said in the radio interview. “We’re going to continue that legacy going forward.”

More all-star speakers confirmed for The Texas Tribune Festival, Nov. 13–15! This year’s lineup just got even more exciting with the addition of State Rep. Caroline Fairly, R-Amarillo; former United States Attorney General Eric Holder; Abby Phillip, anchor of “CNN NewsNight”; Aaron Reitz, 2026 Republican candidate for Texas Attorney General; and State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin. Get your tickets today!

TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.

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August 25, 2025
Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert hosts roundtable discussion on alleged gang activity in Aurora

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DENVER — Congresswoman Lauren Boebert hosted a community roundtable Friday to discuss recent reports of gang and criminal activity at Aurora apartment complexes, which have since become talking points for politicians discussing U.S. immigration policy.

Boebert, the firebrand Republican who represents Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, hosted the roundtable at Aurora City Hall with Texas Congressman Chip Roy, also a Republican.

The roundtable lasted about 90 minutes and also featured state and local leaders as well as concerned citizens.

As the U.S. representative for the 3rd Congressional District, Boebert doesn’t represent any part of Aurora, nor would she represent the neighborhoods where the apartment complexes are located if she’s elected to the 4th Congressional District seat in November.

But Boebert has taken an interest in the recent developments. Friday’s roundtable was the latest example.

“The purpose of this meeting was to get information out to Coloradans because, unfortunately, the media has done the complete opposite,” Boebert said. “They want to cover this up and label it a conspiracy.”

Aurora

Aurora mayor addresses Venezuelan gang activity claims in one-on-one interview

Cindy Romero said during the roundtable she lived in constant fear every night as a tenant at the Edge at Lowry apartments in Aurora.

“If you guys don’t know what it feels like to be a minority in your own home, I’m telling you: It’s terrifying,” said Romero.

Romero said she was the person who took video showing armed men at the apartment complex. The video has since gone viral.

“I seen them moving the guns that morning, I called and reported it,” said Romero. “I have cameras picking them up, moving the guns from one building to another.”

Residents at Aurora apartments say narrative surrounding Venezuelan gangs is false

The roundtable was held on the same day Boebert, Roy, and U.S. Reps. Greg Lopez and Doug Lamborn, also Republicans, sent a letter to Gov. Jared Polis, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, the FBI director, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the executive associate director of Homeland Security Investigations.

The letter asked them to provide answers about activity involving Tren de Aragua (TdA) in Colorado and the role nonprofits may have played in bringing immigrants to the state.

They cited several claims made by Denver law firm Perkins Coie, whose lawyers said they investigated “widespread criminal conduct” at Whispering Pines Apartments.

The law firm also claimed it found evidence of gang members committing several crimes, from “flagrant trespass violations, assaults and battery, human trafficking and sexual abuse of minors, unlawful firearms possession, extortion, and other criminal activities, often targeting vulnerable Venezuelan and other immigrant populations.”

Lawyers from the firm said it represents the lender for the apartment complex.

The law firm’s findings were outlined in a letter sent to Aurora’s interim police chief, the mayor and city manager on Aug. 9.

“The city received the letter and immediately included it in its ongoing investigative work,” a spokesperson with the Aurora Police Department said, adding the city would continue to “aggressively investigate and pursue any criminal activity reported on or related to the properties owned by CBZ management.”

APD did not say, however, if the claims made by the law firm were true.

Aurora

APD investigates claim of Venezuelan gang takeover of apartment building

“This is a nonpartisan law firm that has come out with this. This is information that is vetted. It is nonpartisan,” Boebert said when asked why she cited the law firm’s letter to federal officials and whether she had any evidence beyond the letter.

She also accused the media of trying to gloss over the law firm’s report.

“Why the media would want to try to disprove something and just gloss over it like it’s some sort of conspiracy, instead of actually going in and helping Coloradans and doing whatever they can at any means necessary to expose the criminal activity and the violence that is taking place and the harm that is being caused, is why we are here today,” Boebert said. “We have a media that wants to cover up anything that does not go with the narrative of wide open borders, anything that aligns with sanctuary policies put forward by the Democrats in office here in Colorado.”

On Friday, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman said he visited with tenants at the Dallas and Helena Street apartment complexes.

He said while he believes “Venezuelan gang related problems” caused the property management to flee, he does not believe gangs are in control of either complex.

“At this time, I agree with Interim Chief Heather Morris’ current assessment that a Venezuelan gang is not in control of either of these two apartment complexes,” Coffman said.

Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky and Councilwoman Stephanie Hancock also participated in the roundtable, along with State Sen. Mark Baisley, R-Woodland Park; State Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland; and State Rep. Anthony Hartsook, R-Parker.

Coloradans making a difference | Denver7 featured videos

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Brandon Richard

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September 6, 2024
Elon Musk Calls Democrats ‘Traitors’ Over Opposition to Bill Requiring Citizenship to Vote

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Credit: Real Time With Bill Maher YouTube

Elon Musk fired off a heavy accusation against Democrats opposed to a new bill that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to vote in federal elections.

Musk was offering his take on opposition to the SAVE (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility) Act, which was introduced in the House in May.

House Speaker Mike Johnson offered a thread on X that explained the benefits of the SAVE Act, including the common sense proposal to require “an individual to provide proof of citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections.”

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), is pretty short by Washington standards and has 104 co-sponsors.

“The SAVE Act will safeguard our elections by ensuring only American citizens vote in federal elections,” Johnson (R-LA) wrote.

RELATED: Elon Musk Warns America Is ‘Doomed’ Unless There Is A Red Wave This Election

Elon Musk Blasts Democrat ‘Traitors’

X CEO Elon Musk pulled absolutely no punches in slamming any lawmaker who opposes proof of citizenship in federal elections. And it seems pretty clear which party those opposed would represent.

“Those who oppose this are traitors. All Caps: TRAITORS,” he insisted. “What is the penalty for traitors again?”

Musk was responding to a report by the left-leaning outlet Axios described how House Democrat leaders were preparing the “big guns” in fighting the bill that would require proof of citizenship to vote.

Because, of course, they’re going to fight it.

House Minority Whip Katherine Clark’s (D-MA) office indicated they were urging Democrats to “vote No” on the bill, suggesting that providing proof of being an American citizen would create an “extreme burden for countless” people.

Has it dawned on Democrat voters that their own party leaders think they’re too stupid to provide proof that they are legal American citizens or legal immigrants?

Those who oppose this are traitors.

All Caps: TRAITORS

What is the penalty for traitors again? https://t.co/lyREyskPv4

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 5, 2024

RELATED: More Than 1.7 Million Illegal Entries in First Six Months of Fiscal 2024

Musk Has Been Warning About This For Some Time

X CEO Elon Musk has repeatedly sounded the alarm regarding the 2024 presidential and congressional elections, insisting that the Democrat ‘traitors’, should they win in 2024, will try to use newly-legalized illegal immigrants to create a permanent ruling party.

Moreover, he believes this would be a dangerous and unprecedented move that could undermine the foundations of American democracy. Illegal immigration has surged under the Biden presidency.

“If Dems win President, House & Senate (with enough seats to overcome filibuster),” he warned, “they’ll grant citizenship to all illegals (and) America will become a permanent one-party deep socialist state.”

Musk called for a red wave in the November elections, suggesting it was the only true way to save the country.

“There is either a red wave this November or America is doomed,” Musk wrote. “Imagine four more years of this getting worse.”

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Rusty Weiss

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July 8, 2024
Stephen Colbert Exposes ‘Drunk Uncle’ Republican’s Bizarre ‘Screaming’ Rant

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Stephen Colbert got an unexpected “preview” of what many people might experience in their own homes during Thanksgiving gatherings next week.

“One thing! I want my Republican colleagues to give me one thing ― one! ― that I can go campaign on and say we did,” he yelled during a fiery speech on the House floor.

Colbert offered three things.

Roy also called on his colleagues to shut down the government ahead of Thanksgiving as a way of fighting spending “so our kids and our grandkids don’t inherit a bankrupted country and they don’t have to wonder what freedom used to look like while they’re speaking Mandarin.”

The “Late Show” host was stunned.

“Wow,” he said. “I don’t know what a shutdown would do to Thanksgiving, but it’s nice to have a preview of what your drunk uncle’s gonna be screaming at the cranberry sauce.”

See more in his Thursday night monologue:

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November 16, 2023
Republicans Explain Why They Support An Election Denier As House Speaker

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Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana was a vocal supporter of Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The Onion asked House Republicans why they unanimously selected an election denier as their leader, and this is what they said.

Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS)

“Our two-party system of government works best when one party accepts election results and the other doesn’t.”

Rep. George Santos (R-NY)

Rep. George Santos (R-NY)

“Lord knows I’ve been asking my colleagues to overlook some shit.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)

“Why would I abandon the strategy that got me this far?”

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX)

“As the representative of a grossly gerrymandered district, I kind of forgot elections were a thing.”

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX)

“It seems like he never recovered from his parents’ divorce, so I thought the speakership might cheer him up.”

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA)

“That’s not fair. A lot of my colleagues voted for me because of how much I hate gays.”

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY)

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY)

“If America didn’t want us empowering election deniers they would have voted the right way and not forced our hand.”

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)

“Because I’m going to be raking in seven figures lobbying for Wal-Mart by next year so who gives a fuck.”

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ)

“Anything’s better than that cuck Paul Gosar taking charge.”

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH)

“He said I could use the speaker’s office when he goes home for the night.”

Rep. Greg Pence (R-IN)

“He had the little ‘R’ next to his name.”

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO)

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO)

“How are we supposed to deny the results of the next election if we don’t have a speaker?”

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA)

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA)

“My entire existence is centered around not making Donald Trump mad.”

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC)

“We need to make Mr. Trump feel good. I mean, look at him: He’s mad all the time. Like, all the time! Don’t you just want to do something nice for a big ol’ grinch like that?”

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC)

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC)

“The beautiful thing about elections is that they’re subjective, like a work of art. They’re not determined by who had the most votes, but by which candidate spoke most eloquently to your heart.”

Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)

Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)

“At the end of the day, we all just want what’s best for our wealthiest constituents.”

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL)

“Because we’re laying groundwork to steal the next election. Was that not clear?”

You’ve Made It This Far…

You’ve Made It This Far…

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October 27, 2023