Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, pauses to talk with media as he leaves Trump Tower, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

(CNSNews.com) - Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said he spent "several hours" on Tuesday meeting with his former political rival Donald Trump as well as the Trump transition team, and they had "very good and productive conversations about how we can work together to really deliver on the promises made to the American people."

In an interview with "Fox & Friends" Thursday morning, Cruz was asked if the U.S. Senate, with only 52 Republicans, would employ the "nuclear option" -- a rule change allowing Republican agenda items to pass with a simple majority instead of at least 60 votes.

"Listen, I think we need to do whatever is necessary to get the job done," Cruz said. "And that was a lot of the topic of discussion when I was in Trump Tower, was how we deliver.

"I think if Republicans go to Washington, and we don't deliver on what we promised, I think we'll be looking at pitchforks and torches in the street, and quite rightly."

"So you'll pass things with 52 votes?" anchor Brian Kilmeade asked Cruz.

"Well, listen, we need to see how the Democrats respond," Cruz replied. "Right now, the Democrats seem to be in this bizarre spiral of getting nuttier and nuttier. I think the lesson they took from this election was they weren't liberal and extreme enough, and they've got to get even more whacked out and disconnected from the American people. I hope some saner heads prevail in the Democrat Party -- I hope there are some Democrat senators who actually want to come and do the job we've been given.

"But I think on the Republican side we need to demonstrate resolve..."

Cruz called the 2016 election a "powerful mandate for change," and he said several times he is "excited, "eager" and "committed" to working with the new administration.

Cruz refused to confirm rumors that he is being considered for a possible Cabinet job such as Attorney General:

"Well, listen, I have an incredible job right now representing 27 million Texans, and I'm incredibly honored to hold that job, and it's a job I take very, very seriously. I'm eager to work with the new president in whatever capacity I can have the greatest impact -- defending the principles that I was elected to defend, defending the principles of freedom, defending the Constitution.

"And we spent a great deal of time talking about how when the voters give Republicans control of the White House, control of every executive branch, control of the Senate and control of the House, we've got to deliver. It is time to put up or shut up.

"And I think there are incredible opportunities. I am looking forward to working very, very closely with President Trump to deliver on his promise to repeal Obamacare; I'm looking forward to working very, very closely with President Trump to confirming strong Supreme Court justices, and protecting the constitutional rights of Americans. And I think that's what the voters are looking for."

Cruz dismissed liberal media reports of disarray in the Trump transition effort.

"Nobody should be surprised that their media critics are trying to throw rocks at the President-elect and the transition team because they don't want the president to succeed."

Cruz said he saw the Trump transition team working hard, with an enormous task in front of them, as they seek "talented, principled, effective leaders...who will be loyal to the president and loyal to the agenda that he campaigned on, that we promised the American people."