Cruz again blames Obama in deputy's killing

Sen. Ted Cruz, left, and Bob Harvey , president and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership are shown during a VIP session before the Greater Houston Partnership's annual State of the Senate luncheon where Cruz will be the keynote speaker at Omni Hotel, Four Riverway, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015. less Sen. Ted Cruz, left, and Bob Harvey , president and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership are shown during a VIP session before the Greater Houston Partnership's annual State of the Senate luncheon where Cruz ... more Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 86 Caption Close Cruz again blames Obama in deputy's killing 1 / 86 Back to Gallery

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz again blamed President Barack Obama for last week's killing of a Harris County sheriff's deputy, saying Tuesday that violence against law enforcement is a "direct manifestation" of his administration's vilification of police.

Cruz's condemnation of increased police scrutiny echoes that of the Harris County Sheriff, who similarly placed Deputy Darren Goforth's slaying in the context of nationwide rhetoric about police violence.

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"The violence we're seeing directed at law enforcement is a direct manifestation of the harsh rhetoric and the vilification of police officers – of law enforcement – that sadly has come all the way from the top," Cruz told reporters following a luncheon address to the Greater Houston Partnership, the region's chamber of commerce. "The president has a powerful bully pulpit, and that bully pulpit is not used to stand with the men and women of law enforcement."

No motive has been ascribed to the ambush of Goforth as he pumped gas in northwest Harris County last Friday.

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Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman also linked Goforth's killing to recent criticism of law enforcement.

"Our system of justice absolutely requires law enforcement to be present, to protect our community," Hickman said Saturday. "This rhetoric has gotten out of control."

Obama, for his part, called Goforth's widow Monday and released a statement calling the targeting of police officers "completely unacceptable – an affront to civilized society."

Cruz's preceding speech to the Partnership – a "State of the Senate" address focused on economic growth, the Iran nuclear deal and de-funding Planned Parenthood.