CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misidentified the reporter asking Cruz a question about his children.

Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzVideo of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Democrat on Graham video urging people to 'use my words against me': 'Done' MORE (R-Texas) accused White House reporter Andrew Feinberg of playing a "nasty Washington game" after the reporter brought up the senator's children while posing a question about Hunter Biden.

The interaction occurred on Monday during a break in the impeachment trial. President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE's defense team during arguments that day argued that the Ukrainian energy company Burisma had hired Hunter Biden because his father was vice president.

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Feinberg, who covers the White House for Breakfast Media and previously worked for Sputnik News, responded to a point Cruz made by stating that the Trump defense team had not pointed to any crimes committed by Biden as they attacked his reputation and image.

"But senator, none of the president's attorneys mentioned one single possible crime," Feinberg said. "Basically, what they said is [Hunter Biden] got a job, his dad was vice president. I mean, if that's a crime, shouldn't half of your children be in prison?"

"My children are 9 and 11," Cruz replied to laughs from lawmakers and some reporters.

"I'm sorry you want to throw a 9-year-old in prison. At this point, my third-grader plays basketball and softball at her school, so stop playing the nasty Washington game," he added.



"That's not a nasty Washington game," Feinberg responded.



"Attacking a 9-year-old?" Cruz shot back as he moved on.