Cruz's flip-flop on family separation shows threat to GOP

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Ted Cruz has staged a dramatic about-face on the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" immigration policies, laying bare how politically damaging the issue of separating children from parents accused of crossing the border illegally is becoming for Republicans facing voters this fall.

The Texas senator, who has become a frequent ally of President Donald Trump, initially blasted criticism of the White House crackdown.

"When you see Democrats saying, 'Don't separate kids from their parents,' what they're really saying is don't arrest illegal aliens," he said last week

But he's softened substantially, telling reporters in Washington on Tuesday, "All of us are horrified at the images we're seeing.