News: CIA officials in Mexico City sent a cable to the agency’s headquarters in Langley, Va., alarmed at Rep. Dan Crenshaw’s (R-Texas) behavior during a congressional delegation meeting in August, according to multiple sources in the administration, intelligence community and on Capitol Hill.
CIA officials raised concerns about Crenshaw’s seemingly unprofessional behavior linked to drinking and decorum in the presence of the Mexican officials, according to these sources. Crenshaw was in Mexico in August as part of his role as the chair of the House Intelligence Committee’s cartel task force. He no longer chairs that task force, which has since been disbanded.
The CIA declined to comment for the record.
The meeting also included Democratic Rep. Lou Correa (D-Calif.). Crenshaw took part in a toast that included crude language, which made women in the room uncomfortable, according to multiple sources.
We reported last week that Speaker Mike Johnson and House Intelligence Committee Chair Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) banned Crenshaw from taxpayer-funded congressional delegation travel for 90 days after the incident. Crenshaw also gave up his role as chair of the cartel task force.
Crawford wanted to remove Crenshaw from the Intelligence Committee, but Johnson vetoed that effort. Crawford was also aiming to strip Crenshaw of his subcommittee chairmanship overseeing defense intelligence. Crenshaw still holds that position.
A spokesman from Crenshaw sent this statement:
“Anyone shocked by guys in uniform making a crass joke over a toast has never spent more than five minutes around the military. The only story here is a pathetic political hit job.”
Johnson, who kept Crenshaw on the House Intelligence Committee against the chair’s wishes, sent a statement in support of the Texas Republican. Crenshaw had tweeted the statement Saturday evening.
“Dan Crenshaw has always been and still is our point man in Congress when it comes to addressing the threat of the drug cartels. His insights and expertise in these and other matters regarding intelligence and national security are invaluable. As a former Navy SEAL, he has earned his large platform. Despite recent media attacks by his political opponents, we know Dan, we stand by his record, and we have full confidence he will continue to deliver results.”
