Overview
- In a Semafor interview published Monday, Cornyn openly criticized President Trump’s leadership, saying the president “seems to revel in chaos” and citing recent Director of National Intelligence turmoil as evidence.
- Cornyn withheld his vote on the administration’s immigration spending bill until the White House agreed to release more than $10 billion in border‑security reimbursements owed to Texas.
- He said he will not direct his fundraising machine to Ken Paxton and instead plans to help other Republican Senate campaigns, and he is organizing a major September fundraiser for colleagues in competitive states.
- Cornyn pressed attorney general nominee Todd Blanche on whether he would follow the law if asked otherwise by the president, and Blanche told Cornyn he would resign if asked to act against his conscience.
- The episode highlights a widening split inside the GOP by showing how outgoing senators with institutional clout can condition votes and resources in ways that may slow confirmations and change the competitiveness of races like the Texas Senate contest.