Ted Cruz slammed for calling Trump impeachment 'vindictive' — after admitting former president was 'reckless'​

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on Monday met the wrath of Twitter.

On a recent segment of his podcast, the Texas lawmaker admitted that former President Donald Trump's post-election voter fraud claims were "both reckless and irresponsible" as he recalled a number of the president's most infamous misinformation campaigns, according to the Huff Post.

"I think it was both reckless and irresponsible because he said repeatedly, he said over and over, he won by a landslide, there was massive fraud, it was all stolen everywhere," Cruz said.

After being deeply criticized for going along with Trump's dangerous post-election effort to overturn the presidential election, Cruz now admits that the disgraced former president did not have enough evidence to support his claims of widespread voter fraud.

"That evidence — the campaign did not prove that in any court, and to make a determination about an election, it has to be based on the evidence," Cruz said. "And so simply saying the result you want — that's not responsible."

However, Cruz's admission was overshadowed by his remarks on Monday, Feb 1. Even after admitting the truth about Trump's disturbing post-election behavior, Cruz still described Trump's impeachment as "vindictive."

The Republican lawmaker tweeted, "In the midst of a pandemic, Democrats are advancing their political agenda through a vindictive impeachment instead of working on legislation that would put our nation on the path towards recovery & help the millions of Americans hurting during these unprecedented times."

Almost immediately after Cruz posted his tweet, he was met with an avalanche of opposing tweets. White House reporter Brian Karem fired back at Cruz as he tweeted, "Prosecuting a crime is justice. Your tweet is vindictive. Your actions disingenuous, self-serving, and proof you're still part of the Big Lie cult."

Jim Heath also sounded off as he raised questions about Cruz's description of Trump's second impeachment. "Vindictive impeachment? Ted Cruz was apparently reading Green Eggs & Ham (or hiding under his desk) when Trump provoked an attack on our Capitol."

Patricia Arquette also chimed in with a tweet that read, "You know what's vindictive? What happened to Vindman. And Sally Yates. You know what's vindictive? Inciting a deadly coup because you lost an election."

Trump's second impeachment trial will begin this month.