Texas AG Ken Paxton, Sen. John Cornyn trade vitriol over vote supporting aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan
WASHINGTON — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton criticized U.S. Sen. John Cornyn for his support of a $95 billion aid package to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The exchange, conducted over social media, highlighted the growing divisions between two prominent Texas Republicans who may become primary opponents in 2026.
The contentious vote took place after the Senate worked through the weekend and into Monday night to finalize the aid package ahead of a scheduled break. Republican senators had insisted that any aid to Ukraine be accompanied by provisions securing the U.S. southern border.
Last week, most Republican senators, including Cornyn, rejected a bipartisan compromise on border security. As a result, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and other Republicans voted against the foreign-aid bill.
Paxton took to social media to criticize Cornyn’s support for the aid package, accusing him of prioritizing foreign countries over the national security crisis at the southern border. He referred to Cornyn as an America Last RINO (Republican in name only) who aligned with the Biden administration.
Cornyn swiftly fired back, referencing the criminal charges that have been pending against Paxton since 2015. He urged Paxton to focus on defending himself against these charges instead of criticizing his colleagues.
This clash between Paxton and Cornyn exposes deeper rifts within the Texas Republican Party. Paxton’s attack on Cornyn reflects his willingness to criticize fellow Republicans whom he deems insufficiently conservative.
The confrontation may also serve as a messaging test for a potential primary challenge in 2026, as Paxton has previously hinted at running against Cornyn.
In the past, Paxton has gained national attention for his lawsuits against Democratic presidents. However, his recent attacks on fellow Republicans indicate a shift towards criticizing members of his own party.
The aid package vote itself underscored the ongoing debate over border security and the southern border crisis. Republicans have been critical of President Biden’s approach to immigration, especially as the number of migrants crossing the border has increased.
While Republicans demanded border security measures be included with the aid package, they ultimately supported the bill, except for Cruz and several others. Cornyn defended his vote, emphasizing the importance of addressing national security threats such as Hamas’ attacks on Israel, China’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The foreign-aid bill will now move to the House, where its future remains uncertain. Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated that he will not bring up the bill as passed due to its lack of border policy changes.
The division between Paxton and Cornyn is not new. In 2022, Paxton won a primary runoff against Land Commissioner George P. Bush, with advertisements accusing Paxton of being a crook. Cornyn did not endorse any candidate in the race but took the opportunity to criticize Paxton’s ongoing legal troubles.
Paxton’s legal issues include securities fraud charges dating back to 2011 and allegations of misusing his office’s power to benefit a real estate investor. Despite facing impeachment proceedings in the Texas Senate, Paxton was ultimately acquitted.
The clash between Paxton and Cornyn highlights the significant challenges facing the Texas Republican Party but also raises questions about the potential future of these two influential politicians.
Overall, the exchange between Paxton and Cornyn underscores the growing divisions within the Texas Republican Party and provides a glimpse into the potential dynamics of the 2026 primary race. As Texas Republicans navigate the ongoing border crisis and other pressing issues, it remains to be seen how these internal conflicts will shape the party’s future.
