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Cornyn Criticizes Trump and Uses Senate Leverage to Secure Texas Border Funds

His public break with the president signals growing GOP fractures that could reshape Senate contests and oversight battles this fall.

Overview

  • In a wide June 22 interview, Senator John Cornyn said the president "seems to revel in chaos" and accused him of changing his mind based on the last person he speaks with.
  • Cornyn withheld support for the administration’s $70 billion immigration package until the White House agreed to move forward with more than $10 billion in reimbursed border security funds for Texas.
  • He privately pressed attorney‑general nominee Todd Blanche on whether he would obey an unlawful order, and Blanche told Cornyn he would resign rather than carry out something he believed illegal.
  • Cornyn announced he will organize a large September fundraiser to help other Senate Republicans while refusing to send campaign money to Ken Paxton, saying Paxton and President Trump have ample resources.
  • Paxton’s nomination and Cornyn’s new posture underline a widening split in the Republican Party and leave open the possibility that Cornyn will use remaining Senate influence to affect confirmations and November races.