CIA agents were so stunned by the behavior of a prominent Republican congressman during a trip abroad earlier this year that he was reportedly banned from traveling abroad.
Texas Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw, who serves on the House Intelligence Committee, allegedly toasted a Mexican official's inappropriate remarks during an August meeting, reports Punchbowl News.
The congressman's behavior reportedly alarmed CIA officials. Mexico The city station is enough for them to send a telegram to the agency's headquarters in Langley, Virginiareporting what they considered to be unprofessional behavior related to alcohol consumption, as well as a lack of decorum in front of Mexican officials.
According to sources who spoke to Punchbowl, remarks made by Crenshaw allegedly made a woman present at the meeting feel uncomfortable.
Crenshaw visited America's southern neighbor as head of the House Intelligence Committee's cartel task force.
According to Punchbowl, he no longer holds that role.
Crenshaw himself condemned Punchbowl's staging of the incident, accusing them of clickbait.
“We are once again dealing with the mainstream media publishing sensationalist stories based on anonymous sources and incorrect facts,” Crenshaw. wrote on X.
Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, speaks to reporters as he leaves the House of Representatives during the 118th Congress in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
Central Intelligence Agency seal at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, April 13, 2016.
The Mexican flag flies over the Zocalo, Mexico City's main square. The capital's cathedral faces the square, also called Constitution Square.
“Sorry everyone, I really wish I could tell you a better story about my time in Mexico. But the truth is actually very boring. I'm *shocked* that Punchbowl would try to sell you a subscription with clickbait headlines. Super shocked,” Crenshaw added.
Punchbowl also said the incident also angered House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford, an Arkansas Republican who sought Crenshaw's removal from the committee and a foreign travel ban, as well as Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson.
The speaker issued the following statement in support of Crenshaw, also blaming media coverage of the issue.
“Dan Crenshaw has always been our go-to guy in Congress when it comes to fighting the drug cartel threat. His insight and experience on these and other intelligence and national security issues is invaluable,” Johnson said.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Los Angeles) leaves the House chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, November 18, 2025.
Representative Rick Crawford, Republican of Arkansas, listens to a House Intelligence Committee hearing in Washington, DC, US, Thursday, April 15, 2021.
“As a former Navy SEAL, he deserves his big platform. Despite recent media attacks from his political opponents, we know Deng, we support his reputation and we have every confidence that he will continue to deliver,” Johnson said in a statement.
Crenshaw also raised eyebrows earlier this year when he was apparently caught on a hot mic threatening to kill former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
Back in February, he noted that he had not met Carlson in person, but then said: “If I ever meet him, I'll fucking kill him.” He then apparently called Carlson “the worst person.”
The remarks came after a fiery interview in which Crenshaw criticized Carlson's opposition to U.S. aid to Ukraine, saying he “doesn't know what he's talking about,” Politico reported.
