Rivals at Home, Allies on Foreign Policy
WACO, Texas — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. John Cornyn may be locked in a fierce Republican primary battle, but they agree on one major issue: strong support for President Donald Trump and his decision to strike Iran.
The two candidates continue to compete for the GOP Senate nomination in a crowded field that also includes Rep. Wesley Hunt. Even so, most attention remains on Paxton and Cornyn as they fight for Trump’s endorsement in the final stretch of the campaign.
While they trade sharp attacks on the campaign trail, both men have stood firmly behind Trump’s military action against Iran.
Paxton Defends Military Action
Paxton argued that Iran’s long record of backing terrorism and pursuing nuclear weapons leaves the United States with little choice. He said ignoring the threat would only make it worse over time. In his view, confronting the danger now protects American security later.
He also drew a contrast between Trump’s strategy and past U.S. interventions. Paxton said Trump is focused on limited objectives, not long term nation building. According to him, the goal is clear: remove the threat and let the Iranian people decide their own future.
Cornyn’s Firsthand View of the Decision
Cornyn had direct insight into the president’s thinking. He recalled being aboard Air Force One when Trump asked members of Congress whether they supported a strike. Cornyn said those present understood the seriousness of the decision and backed the president’s authority as commander in chief.
At the Pentagon, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine confirmed that Trump approved Operation Epic Fury while traveling to promote his energy agenda in Texas.
Debate Over War Powers Continues
In Washington, lawmakers from both parties continue to debate the scope of presidential war powers. Some have called for a vote to limit further military action in the region. Paxton and Cornyn both said they are open to discussion, though neither has broken with Trump’s position.
Cornyn framed the issue as a simple choice between standing for American security or allowing Iran to become a nuclear armed power. Meanwhile, Trump has said operations will continue until U.S. objectives are met, though he later suggested the timeline could be short.
Several Democrats, including Sen. Andy Kim, compared the strike to past U.S. military actions in the Middle East. However, Paxton rejected that comparison, arguing that Trump’s approach is more limited and focused.
As the primary race intensifies, both Paxton and Cornyn are making clear that, despite their rivalry, they remain united in backing Trump’s Iran policy.
