Ted Cruz believes the shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., may provide additional evidence that the United States is at war. The Texas senator acknowledged that details about the shooting are still developing, but he said he worries that the attack is an example of Islamic terrorism. Cruz kicked off a Republican Jewish Coalition conference in Washington, D.C., with a moment of silence in light of the murders.
"At this point the details of what happened in San Bernardino are still unclear. Our prayers are with the families of those that were murdered and those that were shot," Cruz said. "All of us are deeply concerned that this is yet another manifestation of terrorism, radical Islamic terrorism. In the wake of the terror attack in Paris, this horrific murder underscores that we are at a time of war. Whether or not this administration realizes it or acknowledges it, our enemies are at war with us. And I believe this nation needs a war time president to defend us."
Cruz's foreign policy positions have come under fire from more hawkish foreign policy thinkers and members of the Republican Party. The Wall Street Journal wrote that Cruz is "advocating a Syria policy that seems to have been drawn from President Obama's situation room."
On Wednesday, Cruz said he believed toppling Syrian leader Bashar Assad would result in the Islamic State taking over the country and harm U.S. security. He linked GOP rival presidential candidate Marco Rubio and Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton. By Thursday, he struck a more hawkish tone and told the Jewish audience that a vote for Clinton is a vote for giving Iran a nuclear bomb, which would threaten the viability of Israel.
Cruz ranks second in the Washington Examiner's newest GOP presidential power rankings.
