Speaker Johnson defends Crenshaw over Mexico incident

WASHINGTON — Speaker Mike Johnson is defending U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, within the wake of a report that his habits on a congressional delegation journey to Mexico in August was inappropriate.

The dispute stems from an incident during which Crenshaw, a member of the House Intelligence Committee and the chair of a now-dissolved cartel activity drive, reportedly toasted a Mexican official who had made a crude joke that made a lady within the room uncomfortable, based on nameless sources in Punchbowl News.

Following the journey, Punchbowl reported that House Intelligence Committee chair Rick Crawford, R-Arkansas, banned Crenshaw from taxpayer-funded journey exterior the nation for 90 days. Crawford noticed that call “as being authorized by the GOP leadership,” Punchbowl reported.

The outlet went on to report Monday that Central Intelligence Agency officers in Mexico City despatched a cable to CIA headquarters in Langley elevating issues about Crenshaw’s habits.

In an announcement shared with The Texas Tribune, Johnson mentioned he stands by Crenshaw and trusts his management on cartels.

“Dan Crenshaw has always been and still is our point man in Congress when it comes to addressing the threat of the drug cartels,” Johnson mentioned. “His insights and expertise in these and other matters regarding intelligence and national security are invaluable. As a former Navy SEAL, he has earned his large platform. Despite recent media attacks by his political opponents, we know Dan, we stand by his record, and we have full confidence he will continue to deliver results.”

Crenshaw has disputed the deserves of Punchbowl’s story, together with that he was banned from traveling. He argued that the outlet’s portrayal of the incident was overblown, writing on X that the allegedly offensive toast occurred in the midst of the day, on the finish of a gathering with Mexican officers about coping with cartels.

“Anyone shocked by guys in uniform making a crass joke over a toast has never spent more than five minutes around the military,” a Crenshaw spokesperson instructed Punchbowl. “The only story here is a pathetic political hit job.”

Punchbowl additionally reported that Crawford had tried to take away Crenshaw from his panel, however that Johnson allowed Crenshaw to retain his seat.