Cory Booker and Ted Cruz Clash in Senate Hearing

During a heated exchange in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker expressed frustration towards Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Protests had taken place outside the homes of Supreme Court Justices and Attorney General Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett under President Biden’s administration. Cruz seized the opportunity to press Booker on whether the Justice Department had taken action against the protesters, questioning the Democrats’ stance on the matter.

“I’m glad to see you’ve changed your tune about earlier accusations. You seemed quite silent about the protests outside the justices’ homes,” Booker remarked. He noted that Democrats had come together to extend security protections, referencing former Attorney General Merrick Garland’s actions.

Cruz interrupted again, inquiring if one protester had been arrested, highlighting that the law forbids such protests near judges’ residences. “You’re altering the accusation,” Booker responded, insisting that Democrats had taken steps to ensure judges’ safety.

As Cruz repeated his question, Booker, clearly agitated, urged him to let him finish his point. “My frustration is that people claim we don’t care about judges’ safety,” he exclaimed. He highlighted the division in the country and criticized the dangerous rhetoric coming from the President.

Booker asserted that the Democrats were not silent and had acted when protests occurred. Cruz found it ironic that Booker reacted so strongly to criticism, calling it “heated partisan rhetoric.”

While one person had been arrested for allegedly plotting to assassinate Kavanaugh, reports indicated that there had been no prosecutions against the protesting individuals during Garland’s time in office.