Texas Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzWith minority bent on obstruction, US Senate still the place bills go to die State Department sanctions more Russians over Nord Stream 2 CNN's Clarissa Ward has breakthrough media moment in Afghanistan MORE (R) hit back at Chicago Mayor Lori LightfootLori Lightfoot2 brothers charged in fatal shooting of Chicago police officer Has the pandemic put property rights in the crosshairs? Bass planning to run for reelection amid talk of LA mayoral bid MORE (D) Tuesday after she told the senator to “keep our name out of your mouth.”

Lightfoot took aim at Cruz late Monday after the senator had used an uptick in weekend violence in Chicago as an example to argue that “gun control doesn’t work.”

Cruz responded Tuesday by saying that "your anger is misplaced" and linking to a USA Today story showing that Chicago had the most homicides among U.S. cities last year, though Baltimore had the highest murder rate per capita. 

ADVERTISEMENT

“Mayor, your anger is misplaced. Virtually every year, Chicago has the most murders of any city in America.  In 2017, the top five were: Chicago (650 murders), Baltimore (343), Philadelphia (317), New York (290), and Los Angeles (286),” Cruz said in his tweet.

Lightfoot on Monday had argued that "60% of illegal firearms recovered in Chicago come from outside IL—mostly from states dominated by coward Republicans like you who refuse to enact commonsense gun legislation."

"Keep our name out of your mouth," she added.

In another tweet, Cruz argued that "All five of those cities have had Democratic mayors for decades and aggressive gun control policies—none seems to be working," though both New York and Los Angeles have had Republican mayors within the last two decades, including former Mayors Rudy GiulianiRudy GiulianiKinzinger on GOP lawmaker's Capitol bomb threat statement: 'Evil' Foreign lobbyists donated over M during 2020 election: report FEC watchdog raises concerns about foreign money in US politics MORE and Michael BloombergMichael BloombergIt's time to break up Big Tech's media monopoly Democrats can keep stacking up wins by uniting progressives and moderates Wealthy donors benefited from lesser-known Trump tax break: report MORE for a period before he became independent. 

“But Chicago’s murder totals are often DOUBLE the next closest city. So how do you explain the big cities in red states, without aggressive gun control laws, where murder rates are MUCH lower than Chicago?” Cruz also tweeted.

"Maybe, rather than getting angry when others point out the tragically high murder rate in Chicago, you put aside the partisan talking points & the failed gun-control policies Chicago has pursued for decades," Cruz continued.

The spat between Cruz and Lightfoot began when the Texas senator on Monday tweeted criticism of Chicago officials for their gun control policies, as politicians have spoken out in the wake of the mass shooting in West Texas on Saturday that killed seven people and injured 22. 

“Look at Chicago. Disarming law-abiding citizens isn’t the answer. Stopping violent criminals—prosecuting & getting them off the street—BEFORE they commit more violent crimes is the most effective way to reduce murder rates. Let’s protect our citizens,” Cruz wrote.

Tags Chicago Ted Cruz Lori Lightfoot Michael Bloomberg Rudy Giuliani Gun control