Ted Cruz has spoken out for the first time since returning from his infamous trip to Mexico during a tumultuous period of severely cold weather in the state of Texas this week.
According to The Guardian, arctic storms that have swept across large parts of the central and southern United States have brought record-breaking cold temperatures, with more than 4 million homes and businesses left without power on Tuesday, February 16.
Meanwhile, The Independent reports that at least 24 Texans have lost their lives as a result of the extreme weather, at the time of writing.
According to Sky News, the 50-year-old Texan Senator has since returned from his trip abroad after just 24 hours, following a harsh backlash over his decision to travel during a state emergency.
Per Sky, Cruz defended his decision to go by claiming that his daughters pressured him into it, stating: "Look, it was obviously a mistake, and in hindsight, I wouldn't have done it.
"I was trying to be a dad. And all of us have made decisions.
"When you've got two girls who have been cold for two days and haven't had heat or power, and they're saying: 'Hey, look, we don't have school, why don't we go, let's get out of here' - I think there are a lot of parents that'd be like: 'All right, if I can do this, great'
A contrite Cruz then continued: "Really, from the moment I sat on the plane, I began second-guessing that decision and saying: 'Look, I know why we're doing this, but I've also got responsibilities.'
"It had been my intention to be able to work remotely, to be on the phone, to be on the internet, to be on Zoom, to be engaged. But I needed to be here. And that's why I came back."
However, despite Cruz's protestations, a number of "leaked" messages obtained by local news outlet Reform Austin - and later reported by The Hill, Insider, and other major news outlets - appear to contradict this.
The messages allegedly stem from a neighborhood group chat in River Oaks, Houston - and were leaked to the press by a disgruntled chat member.
They reportedly show that Cruz's wife Heidi invited friends and neighbors for the getaway at the Ritz-Carlton over in Cancun with them and their daughters.
Per Reform Austin, the messages in question from Heidi Cruz allegedly read: "Anyone can or want to leave for the week?
"We may go to Cancun there [are] direct flights at 4.45 pm and hotels w capacity [..] Seriously. Covid test to come back which we will take there.
"Are you guys warm enough? We have a fireplace! Let us know. Our house is FREEZING tho is why we stayed [...] last night couldn’t stand it anymore."
Meanwhile, Democrat Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Cortez has criticized Cruz for seemingly abandoning his constituents in the midst of the crisis, writing in a tweet to her 12.4 million Twitter followers on Thursday, February 18:
"If Sen. Cruz had resigned back in January after helping gin up a violent insurrection that killed several people, he could've taken his vacation in peace. Texans should continue to demand his resignation. [sic]"