Three days after the shooting that authorities have said was motivated by racist ideology, Cruz tweeted: “Over 2 million illegal aliens streamed across the border last year. This is an invasion we’re seeing because Joe Biden refuses to enforce the law!” ⬇️https://t.co/md59s0a2W6

— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) May 18, 2022

The attacks have led to calls for public officials to cool it with that kind of talk.

In a speech in Buffalo on Tuesday, @POTUS called white supremacy a “poison … running through our body politic.” ⬇️https://t.co/md59s0a2W6

— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) May 18, 2022

Patrick’s argument is part of a conspiracy theory known as The Great Replacement.

The theory — embraced by white supremacists and far-right nationalists — holds that minority ethnic groups are engaged in a plot to take power from whites. ⬇️https://t.co/md59s0a2W6

— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) May 18, 2022