Ted Cruz and President Barack Obama have long been bitter ideological rivals, with Cruz leading the charge to try to defund Obama's signature health care law and tank his immigration proposals. | Getty Cruz will fly with Obama to Dallas on Air Force One

In a dramatic display of bipartisan unity after a horrific tragedy, Ted Cruz will accompany President Barack Obama aboard Air Force One to Dallas on Tuesday, the Texas senator's office said.

Cruz and Obama have long been bitter ideological rivals, with Cruz leading the charge to try to defund Obama's signature health care law and tank his immigration proposals — Cruz even confronted Obama personally about Obamacare in 2013. But the shooting deaths of five police officers in Dallas are bringing the president and conservative star together in the name of national togetherness.


Texas's other senator, Majority Whip John Cornyn, will also attend the memorial event on Tuesday, but is scheduled to arrive earlier than the president and will not fly on Air Force One.

"We thanked them very much and said give me a raincheck," Cornyn said. "This is something he’s good at. We’re glad to have him, we appreciate the gesture on his part."