Mexico Trip Controversy: Speaker Johnson Defends Rep. Crenshaw Amid CIA Misconduct Concerns

Speaker Mike Johnson is publicly defending Rep. Dan Crenshaw after reports that the congressman’s conduct during a congressional trip to Mexico drew criticism from both colleagues and U.S. intelligence officials.

According to Punchbowl News, CIA personnel in Mexico City flagged Crenshaw’s behavior during an August meeting as “unprofessional,” citing drinking and a toast that reportedly made some women in the room uncomfortable. The meeting included Democratic Rep. Lou Correa (D-Calif) and was part of Crenshaw’s duties as chair of the now-disbanded House Intelligence Committee cartel task force.

Following the trip, House Intelligence Committee Chair Rick Crawford (R-Ark) restricted Crenshaw from taxpayer-funded overseas travel for 90 days and sought to remove him from subcommittee leadership. Johnson, however, blocked those moves and maintained Crenshaw’s committee role.

A spokesperson from Crenshaw sent a statement to Punchbowl News, “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.”

Speaker Johnson echoed that support in a statement shared with The Texas Tribune: “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. 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.”