Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage

Dan Crenshaw
Born	Daniel Reed Crenshaw (1984-03-14) March 14, 1984 Aberdeen, Scotland
Occupation(s)	Politician, former Navy SEAL officer
Years active	2019–present (U.S. House of Representatives)
Known for	U.S. Representative for Texas's 2nd congressional district

Daniel Reed Crenshaw (born March 14, 1984) is an American lawmaker and former United States Navy SEAL officer who has represented Texas's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2019. He affiliates with the Republican Party.

As a commissioned officer in the United States Navy, Crenshaw was assigned to SEAL Team 3 during the War in Afghanistan (2001–14), achieving the rank of lieutenant commander. On his third deployment, he sustained injuries from an improvised explosive device, resulting in the loss of his right eye. After completing his military career, he served as a legislative aide to Representative Pete Sessions prior to his 2018 election to Congress.

Early life and education

Dan Crenshaw was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, to American parents and was raised in Katy, Texas. His mother, Susan, passed away from cancer when he was ten years old. His father, Jim Crenshaw, a petroleum engineer, worked internationally, leading Dan to spend parts of his youth in Ecuador and Colombia, where he became fluent in Spanish. He completed his secondary education at Colegio Nueva Granada in Bogotá, Colombia, graduating in 2002.

Returning to the United States for higher education, Crenshaw earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations with a physics minor from Tufts University in 2006. Following a decade-long military tenure, he attained a Master of Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 2017. Additionally, he worked as a military legislative assistant for U.S. Representative Pete Sessions.

Military service

While attending Tufts University, Crenshaw joined the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, commissioning into the U.S. Navy upon graduation. He completed the rigorous Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, graduating with class 264. In June 2008, he earned designation as a Naval Special Warfare Officer and served ten years across five deployments, ascending to the rank of lieutenant commander. His initial deployment was with SEAL Team Three in Fallujah, Iraq, operating out of Coronado, California.

Crenshaw’s decorations include two Bronze Star Medals—one awarded with a "V" device for valor—the Purple Heart, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal also awarded with valor. He medically retired from active duty as a lieutenant commander in 2016.

During his third deployment in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province in 2012, Crenshaw suffered an injury from an IED explosion that resulted in the loss of his right eye. Surgery was undertaken to safeguard vision in his remaining eye. Despite this severe injury, he continued service for an additional four years, completing deployments in both Bahrain and South Korea.

2018

In 2018, Crenshaw campaigned for election to represent , which encompasses northern and western Houston suburbs including areas like Kingwood, Humble, and Spring. He sought to fill the seat vacated by retiring Representative Ted Poe. Announcing his candidacy in November 2017, Crenshaw cited national security analyst John Noonan as an inspiration and emphasized border security alongside immigration reform as central campaign themes.

From a crowded Republican primary field of nine candidates, Crenshaw advanced to a runoff against Kevin Roberts after narrowly surpassing Kathaleen Wall—a candidate supported by Senator Ted Cruz and Governor Greg Abbott. The runoff was marked by intense competition; a super PAC funded by Roberts’ brother-in-law attacked Crenshaw over prior criticism of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and drew comparisons between Crenshaw’s policies and those associated with President Barack Obama and Senator Bernie Sanders. Senator Tom Cotton endorsed Crenshaw during this period as he gained national media attention including appearances on Fox Business.

Ultimately winning the runoff, Crenshaw defeated Democrat Todd Litton in the November general election with 52.8% of the vote. Following his victory, he advocated for reducing divisive rhetoric within comedy and sports.

During an episode of Saturday Night Live, comedian Pete Davidson made jokes about Crenshaw’s injury and appearance that sparked controversy. Davidson later issued an on-air apology during a segment featuring Crenshaw himself; the congressman accepted it and used the platform to highlight veterans’ concerns. This incident reportedly increased Crenshaw’s public profile and fundraising efforts. Two years afterward, Davidson withdrew his apology; Crenshaw described this reversal as "a little sad," noting that Davidson "can't stop thinking" about him.

2020

In the 2020 election, Crenshaw secured another term by defeating Democratic challenger Sima Ladjevardian, earning 55.6% of the vote compared to her 42.8%. By October 16, his campaign expenditures had surpassed $11 million, ranking it among the most costly Congressional contests nationwide.

2022

Crenshaw achieved reelection in 2022 with a commanding victory over Democrat Robin Fulford, capturing 66% of the vote against Fulford’s 34%.

2024

In the 2024 race, Crenshaw once again retained his seat by overcoming Democratic nominee Peter Filler.

Tenure

On August 26, 2020, Crenshaw delivered a speech at the 2020 Republican National Convention.

A report from the Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General in 2020 implicated both Crenshaw and VA Secretary Robert Wilkie in allegedly disparaging a female veteran who reported sexual assault; Crenshaw rejected these claims as politically motivated by Democrats.

In March 2021, The Daily Beast revealed that Crenshaw violated the STOCK Act by not properly reporting stock transactions conducted in March 2020.

Crenshaw has openly criticized members of the Freedom Caucus, describing them as divisive "performance artists" who undermine moderate Republicans.

In February 2025, a hot mic incident captured Crenshaw expressing a desire to "fucking kill" conservative commentator Tucker Carlson. The two have a history of public disputes, with Carlson referring to Crenshaw as "Eyepatch McCain" and one of the "dumbest" Republicans, while Crenshaw called Carlson a "cowardly, know-nothing elitist." This remark sparked criticism from conservatives such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Elon Musk. Carlson responded by inviting Crenshaw to an interview at his home.

Committee assignment

• Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change
  • Subcommittee on Health

Previous committee roles:

• Committee on the Budget
• Committee on Homeland Security
  • Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery
  • Subcommittee on Oversight, Management and Accountability (Ranking Member)

Caucus membership

• Republican Study Committee
• Congressional Western Caucus

Abortion

Crenshaw holds an anti-abortion stance. In 2019, he earned a 0% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America and a perfect score from the National Right to Life Committee. He asserts that "life begins at conception," regards Roe v. Wade as a "poorly decided precedent," and advocates for abortion policies to be determined at the state level. After the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization that overturned Roe, Crenshaw commented: "Historic. The authority returns to the states, back to the people."

Gun rights

Crenshaw stands against gun control initiatives, including prohibitions on semi-automatic weapons. After the 2019 mass shootings in Dayton and El Paso, he briefly weighed support for red flag laws but maintained that such legislation should be determined by individual states. He argued these laws essentially enforce restrictions before any crime occurs and questioned their necessity if a threat is already apparent. Following the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, he reaffirmed his opposition to red flag laws. In January 2025, Crenshaw introduced the "Preventing Unjust Red Flag Laws Act," which seeks to withhold federal funding from states that enact red flag laws; this bill is currently under review by the House Judiciary Committee. Additionally, he opposes increasing the minimum age for firearm purchases to 21 but supports broadening background checks to incorporate juvenile criminal records.

In both 2020 and 2022, Crenshaw earned an "A+" rating and endorsement from the NRA Political Victory Fund.

COVID-19 pandemic

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, Crenshaw asserted that Democrats and media outlets overstated the dangers posed by the virus. He emerged as a vocal supporter of former President Trump's management of the pandemic and frequently chose not to wear face coverings despite public health recommendations and mandates issued by Governor Greg Abbott. Crenshaw also criticized FDA regulations, claiming they impeded the development of COVID-19 testing.

Healthcare

Crenshaw advocates for repealing the Affordable Care Act (commonly known as Obamacare), describing it as a complete failure. During his 2018 campaign, he endorsed allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices—a position uncommon among Republicans—but he withdrew this support by 2019. On May 24, 2019, he co-sponsored legislation extending filing deadlines under the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act. Furthermore, Crenshaw has proposed bills aimed at financing research into psychedelic therapy for military members suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.

Donald Trump

As reported by Politico, Crenshaw "aligned with Donald Trump most of the time but is not a loyalist. He is a committed conservative willing to critique fellow conservatives."

Although he criticized some of Trump's remarks in 2015, Crenshaw became a "firm defender" after Trump's 2016 election victory. He voted against both articles of impeachment presented in 2019.

In 2020, Crenshaw supported the Trump administration's response to the pandemic, countering critiques regarding its timeliness. He delivered remarks at the 2020 Republican National Convention, referring to America as "a country of heroes," notably without mentioning Trump by name—one of few speakers to do so.

Following the January 6 Capitol attack, Crenshaw condemned the violence carried out by Trump supporters, calling on protesters to cease their actions and criticizing some Representatives for inciting unrest. He viewed attempts to dispute the Electoral College certification as unconstitutional, voting against objections to electoral votes in Arizona and Pennsylvania while defending Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley against accusations of incitement. Crenshaw opposed Trump's second impeachment, arguing that although Trump's rhetoric encouraged "unconstitutional theories," impeaching a president with only seven days remaining would only exacerbate tensions without serving a constructive purpose.

After Representative Liz Cheney was censured for voting to impeach Trump, Crenshaw urged Republicans to "move on" from allegations of a stolen 2020 election, criticizing both media and party members for fixating on this issue instead of addressing economic concerns, the pandemic, and immigration challenges. He expressed, "I do not think Trump is the devil... I don't think he's Jesus either." Crenshaw also voiced support for Representative Adam Kinzinger, a Trump critic serving on the January 6 select committee, while disparaging far-right members of the Freedom Caucus as "performance artists" and "grifters."

In 2022, during an episode of his podcast Hold These Truths, Crenshaw denounced Republican efforts contesting the 2020 election results as deliberate falsehoods designed to provoke unrest.

Election reform

In 2019, Crenshaw voiced opposition to the For the People Act of 2019, arguing that it would significantly restrict free speech and utilize taxpayer funds to effectively "legalize" electoral fraud akin to allegations from the 2018 North Carolina District 9 election. However, PolitiFact judged this assertion as "false," highlighting that the legislation did not broaden absentee ballot collection or relax witnessing requirements. Additionally, Crenshaw criticized the bill for not including a federal prohibition on ballot harvesting and expressed agreement with the American Civil Liberties Union's stance against its modifications to campaign finance regulations.

Environment

During his 2018 campaign, Crenshaw commended President Trump's decision to exit the Paris Agreement, describing it as an expensive and meaningless gesture of virtue signaling that constituted poor policy. He advocated for prioritizing investments in improved infrastructure and encouraged open discussions regarding the causes of climate change, insisting that scientific perspectives from all viewpoints should be considered.

By 2019, Crenshaw recognized the reality of climate change and acknowledged human-produced emissions as a contributing factor, though he questioned whether the expenses of reversing warming trends justified the benefits. He endorsed exploring innovative green energy technologies aimed at minimizing environmental harm while enhancing air and water quality. In 2020, he dismissed the efficacy of solar energy and wind energy, instead promoting the expansion of nuclear power alongside advancements in carbon capture technology.

Amid the 2021 Texas power crisis, Crenshaw cautioned that initiatives like the Green New Deal could precipitate similar disruptions in energy reliability.

Immigration

In 2016, Crenshaw criticized then-presidential candidate Trump for using "insane rhetoric" against Muslims and engaging in "hateful" discourse. Yet, during his 2018 campaign, he supported Trump's proposal to construct a border wall along the Mexico–United States boundary. On The View in May 2019, Crenshaw asserted that 80%–90% of asylum applications lacked valid claims; however, PolitiFact rated this statement "false," noting that although only about 20% to 30% of claims are approved, many denials or case closures occur for reasons unrelated to claim validity.

In 2021, Crenshaw blamed the Biden administration for creating a crisis at the southern border by halting deportations and reversing immigration and asylum policies established under Trump. He further contended that Mexican drug cartels exploit the U.S. asylum system to facilitate human smuggling into the country.

Crenshaw advocates for strengthening physical barriers and utilizing technology along the southern border to reduce illegal crossings. While recognizing that those entering unlawfully "aren't bad people," he emphasizes that they are violating laws, straining an unsustainable system, and circumventing lawful immigrants.

He voted in favor of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, which nearly doubled H-2B visa allocations for fiscal year 2020, and supported the Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 1158), which restricts ICE's collaboration with Health and Human Services regarding detention or removal of illegal alien sponsors of unaccompanied alien children (UACs).

Social issues

Although Crenshaw once supported the legalization of same-sex marriage, he ultimately voted against the Respect for Marriage Act even after religious exemption clauses were included. Describing same-sex marriage as a "difficult topic," he maintains that marriage should remain outside government regulation. In 2015, he challenged comparisons made between Christianity and Islam, emphasizing that the most severe modern Christian objection is to same-sex marriage, which he contrasted with more extreme practices such as sex slavery and sharia law.

In a custody case involving a 7-year-old Transgender youth seeking gender transition, Crenshaw aligned with the father who did not support the transition. He described the court’s decision to award custody to the mother as "heartbreaking," arguing that a child of that age is incapable of fully grasping such choices.

Crenshaw opposes widespread federal funding for higher education but endorses financial support directed toward vocational training programs. He stands against cancel culture and disapproves of protests like athletes kneeling during the national anthem. Additionally, he criticized Senator Tammy Duckworth for what he deemed unpatriotic behavior when she called for discussions about removing certain statues, including those honoring George Washington.

Foreign policy

Crenshaw is a strong proponent of close collaboration with Israel and has faced backlash from anti-Semitic white nationalist groups due to his supportive stance. Following the 2023 Hamas attack, he voted in favor of measures backing Israel.

In 2019, Crenshaw co-sponsored a resolution opposing President Trump’s troop withdrawal from Syria, cautioning that it would embolden Turkey’s offensive against Kurdish forces. He also supported Trump’s decision to eliminate Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

In April 2020, alongside Senator Tom Cotton, Crenshaw introduced legislation permitting civil lawsuits against foreign governments for harm or death caused by their actions, specifically targeting China’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

In 2022, he endorsed a $40 billion military aid package for Ukraine. Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson criticized this move by nicknaming him "Eyepatch McCain," a comment that sparked significant public criticism.

Personal life

Crenshaw wed Tara Blake in 2013. He practices Methodism and hosts Hold These Truths, a podcast launched in February 2020. The couple has one daughter, Susan Crenshaw, born on September 12, 2023, named in honor of his late mother.

In April 2021, Crenshaw underwent emergency surgery to repair a detached retina in his functioning left eye. During recovery, he anticipated near blindness for approximately one month, noting, "I don't have a 'good eye,' but half a good eye."

Recognition

In 2020, Fortune magazine included Crenshaw on its 40 Under 40 list within the "Government and Politics" category, recognizing his prominent dedication to public service.

Works

• Dan Crenshaw (2020). Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage. New York: Twelve. . The National Republican Congressional Committee purchased nearly $400,000 worth of copies to aid its distribution.

External links

• Official U.S. House webpage for Congressman Dan Crenshaw
• Campaign site for Dan Crenshaw

• Dan Crenshaw profile at PolitiFact
• Hold These Truths podcast hosted by Dan Crenshaw
• Opinion piece authored by Crenshaw in The Washington Post

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