‘Spare us your prayers’: Ted Cruz faces backlash after Texas mall shooting kills eight

Critics say the Republican senator should advocate for meaningful gun control rather than invoke prayer after mass, deadly violence

Texas US senator Ted Cruz’s comment Saturday that he was “praying” for families of the eight victims killed in a shooting at a shopping mall in his state has sparked outrage as many critics say the Republican should advocate for meaningful gun control rather than repeatedly invoke prayer after mass, deadly violence.

Cruz and other fellow Texas Republicans have faced similar backlash for citing general emotional support, thoughts, prayers, or a combination thereof after the slayings in Allen, Texas, on Saturday.