Fox News Channel host Tucker Carlson hit out at Senator Ted Cruz Wednesday for branding the Capitol riot 'a violent terrorist a...
Fox News Channel host Tucker Carlson hit out at Senator Ted Cruz Wednesday for branding the Capitol riot 'a violent terrorist attack.'
Carlson's opening monologue mocked the idea - as Carlson has repeatedly - that the storming of the building was an 'insurrection.'
He then went after Republicans, including Cruz, whom he felt took Democratic talking points he claims were first made by Attorney General Merrick Garland to discuss the riot.
'Now let's be honest,' Carlson said. 'Everyone who's conservative appreciates Ted Cruz. You may not like him. But you've gotta appreciate him. He's legitimately smart. He's one of the more articulate people to serve in the Congress, maybe the most articulate.'
'He doesn't use a single word by accident,' Carlson added. 'Every word Ted Cruz uses is used intentionally. He's a lawyer.'
Carlson continued by wondering why he was using his carefully chosen words to describe the events of the 6th as a terrorist attack.
'He described January 6th as a violent terrorist attack,' the top-rated cable news host said. 'Of all the things January 6th was, it was definitely not a violent terrorist attack. It wasn't an insurrection. Was it a riot? Sure. It was not a violent terrorist attack. Sorry! So why are you telling us it was, Ted Cruz?'
Tucker Carlson, speaking on his Fox News show 'Tucker Carlson Tonight' Wednesday, hit out at Senator Ted Cruz for his comments on the insurrection on January 6, 2021 at the Capitol
Carlson also argued that Merrick Garland - President Biden's attorney general - had 'written' the 'talking points' Cruz used.
'We are approaching a solemn anniversary this week,' said the senator in a clip Carlson played from last week. 'And it is an anniversary of a violent terrorist attack on the Capitol where we saw the men and women of law enforcement demonstrate incredible courage, incredible bravery, risk their lives to defend the men and women who serve in this Capitol.'
Carlson expressed that he was still an ally of Cruz, but found the former presidential candidate's use of words curious.
Carlson played clips of Cruz calling the events of the 6th a 'violent terrorist attack' and an 'insurrection'
'He described January 6th as a violent terrorist attack,' the top-rated cable news host said. 'Of all the things January 6th was, it was definitely not a violent terrorist attack. It wasn't an insurrection. Was it a riot? Sure. It was not a violent terrorist attack'
Cruz was one of eight Republican senators to object to Electoral College results on January 6
Former President Donald Trump addressed his supporters outside the White House on January 6, 2021 before they marched on the Capitol and tried to stop the certification of Biden's victory
The Fox News host finished his monologue by returning to criticism of the Republican Party.
Carlson concluded, 'What the hell's going on here? You're making us think, maybe the Republican Party is as worthless as we suspected it was. That can't be true. Reassure us, please, Ted Cruz.'
Cruz was one of eight Republican senators to object to Electoral College results on January 6.
He also joined Republican Rep. Paul Gosar in objecting to the Arizona Electoral College votes, which prompted a joint session of Congress to break up and debate the objection shortly before rioters breached the building.
Former President Donald Trump addressed his supporters outside the White House on January 6, 2021 before they marched on the Capitol and tried to stop the certification of Biden's victory. Five people died either shortly before, during or following the event.
House Democrats impeached Trump for his role but he was acquitted by the Senate.
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