Ted Cruz, Mike Lee call for Mitch McConnell’s removal after ‘disqualifying betrayal’ on border bill

Cruz stated it was time for McConnell to step down in a press conference on Tuesday.

When asked if he thought it was time for McConnell "to go," he replied, "I think it is."

“I think a Republican leader should actually lead this conference and should advance the priorities of Republicans,” he said.

Lee took to X to voice his displeasure with the Senate GOP minority leader.

The senator from Utah wrote, "Senate GOP leadership screwed this up—and screwed us. Even while refusing to let us see the bill they claimed to be negotiating on our behalf—for MONTHS—they were never in doubt, insisting we’d be dumb and even unpatriotic NOT to support it. This is a disqualifying betrayal."

In another statement made to the platform, Lee posted, "This feels like an elaborate practical joke. But it’s not funny. Not one bit."

"I cannot understand how any Republican would think this was a good idea—or anything other than an unmitigated disaster. WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP — NOW," he added.

McConnell was later asked about the press conference from Cruz where the Texas senator asked him to step down.

“I think we can all agree that Senator Cruz is not a fan," McConnell replied.

After the bill text was released on Sunday night, Lee began to comb through the bill to highlight its real-world effects on the border.

In one post he commented, "Biden can say anything is in the 'national interest' and thereby suspend the 'border emergency authority,'" and highlighted a section of the bill allowing to president to have discretionary authority over when the border is closed.

After posting many times about the bill, the Utah senator published a press release titled, "Senator Lee Releases 'Dirty Dozen' Disasters in So-Called 'Border Deal.'"

The release goes point by point on a dozen issues the senator believes to be wrong with the bill. This includes codifying "catch and release," "funds for sanctuary cities," as well as having no measures to deport illegal immigrants.