Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Chip Roy

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Chip Roy.

Chip Roy is an American attorney and politician, currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 21st congressional district since 2019. A Republican, he previously served as chief of staff to Senator Ted Cruz and as first assistant attorney general of Texas. As a member and policy chair of the House Freedom Caucus, Roy is considered a prominent conservative voice within the House Republican Conference.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

September 30, 2013: Criticized Republicans over Obamacare

On September 30, 2013, Chip Roy gained attention for criticizing Republicans who did not join Ted Cruz in demanding that Obamacare be defunded before voting to keep the government running.

July 2015: Paxton indicted on securities fraud charges

In July 2015, Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, was indicted on securities fraud charges, which led to increased attention on Chip Roy as Paxton's First Assistant Attorney General.

2018: Paul donates to Paxton's campaign

In 2018, Nate Paul, an Austin real estate developer, donated $25,000 to Paxton's campaign.

May 24, 2019: Roy halts House disaster relief funding bill

On May 24, 2019, Roy singlehandedly halted a House disaster relief funding bill that gave $19 billion in relief for communities hit by disasters, including $900 million for hurricane-damaged Puerto Rico, and fast-tracked $4 billion in grants to Texans suffering due to the effects of Hurricane Harvey.

June 12, 2019: Roy derails House procedural process for appropriation bills

On June 12, 2019, Roy disrupted the House procedural process for appropriation bills by making a motion to adjourn in protest of Democratic inaction on Trump's $4.5 billion supplemental funding request for the Department of Homeland Security, which was defeated.

July 2019: Roy accused Ocasio-Cortez of political theatrics

During a July 2019 hearing on border detention conditions, Chip Roy accused Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of political theatrics and playing to her Twitter followers after she asked to be sworn in and related a story about a migrant woman.

August 2019: FBI raid on Paul's offices and home

In August 2019, Paxton claimed that his office had been referred a case investigating an FBI raid of Nate Paul's offices and home which had allegations of crimes relating to the FBI, other government agencies and individuals

May 2020: Roy advocates for herd immunity

In May 2020, Roy advocated for 'herd immunity' to combat COVID-19, acknowledging that this approach might entail unnecessary deaths but arguing that the indirect deaths and suffering from lockdowns were also significant.

July 2020: Roy Blames Border Crossings for Coronavirus Cases

In July 2020, Roy blamed surging coronavirus cases in Southern Texas on "people coming across our border" from Mexico, despite the border being closed for nonessential activity since March.

October 5, 2020: Roy calls for Paxton's resignation

On October 5, 2020, Roy called for Ken Paxton's resignation after seven senior leaders within his office accused him of bribery, abuse of office, and other charges. He criticized Paxton's response to the charges.

November 7, 2020: Roy texts Meadows about election fraud

On November 7, 2020, Roy texted Meadows requesting "ammo" and "fraud examples" related to the election. He also urged Trump to tone down his rhetoric and approach the legal challenge intelligently. Before traveling to Georgia to help fight the election results there, Roy texted Meadows: "Dude, we need ammo. We need fraud examples. We need it this weekend": two days earlier, he had texted Meadows: "We have no tools / data / information to go out and fight RE: election / fraud. If you need / want it, we all need to know what's going on."

November 19, 2020: Roy expresses concern for lack of evidence

On November 19, 2020, Roy texted Meadows to express his concern for the lack of evidence, writing: "Hey brother - we need substance or people are going to break."

December 10, 2020: Roy opposes Texas v. Pennsylvania lawsuit

On December 10, 2020, Roy opposed Paxton's lawsuit Texas v. Pennsylvania, which demanded four other states' election results be overturned. He argued that the case represented a dangerous violation of federalism.

2020: Roy's coordination to overturn 2020 election revealed

In 2020, over 100 text messages gathered by the January 6th Commission revealed the coordination by Roy with Mark Meadows to overturn Trump's defeat in the 2020 election.

2020: Four-bill spending package

The chamber scheduled for working through amendments through most of the day, with roll call votes not expected until around 5:30 p.m.,

December 31, 2020: Roy warns against challenging election results

On December 31, 2020, Roy texted Meadows, warning that challenging the election results would destroy the electoral college.

January 3, 2021: Roy joins statement against challenging election results

On January 3, 2021, Roy joined fellow Republican legislators in issuing a statement against challenging the results of the 2020 election, emphasizing the states' authority to appoint electors.

January 6, 2021: Congress's role in presidential election process

Congressional action despite this "would amount to stealing power from the people and the states. It would, in effect, replace the electoral college with Congress, and in so doing strengthen the efforts of those on the left who are determined to eliminate it or render it irrelevant.

March 2021: Roy Votes Against Myanmar Coup Condemnation

In March 2021, Roy was one of 14 House Republicans to vote against a measure condemning the Myanmar coup d'état. He was noted as part of an emerging far-right 'no' caucus.

2021: Roy's statement about chaos surfaces

In 2021, a recording of Roy surfaced in which he said he wanted "18 more months of chaos and the inability to get stuff done" during a Democratic-controlled Congress and presidency. Roy's conservative positions have frequently put him in conflict with House GOP leadership.

May 8, 2024: Roy warned of high foreign-born population in the United States

In a congressional speech on May 8, 2024, Chip Roy warned of the high foreign-born population in the United States and also claimed that there has been a “massive Muslim takeover of the United Kingdom."

December 2024: Opposition to Debt Ceiling and Criticism from Trump

In December 2024, Roy opposed raising the United States debt ceiling, leading to criticism from Donald Trump, who encouraged Texas Republicans to consider a primary challenge against him.

January 2025: Reintroduction of the SAVE Act

In January 2025, Rep. Chip Roy reintroduced the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act to prevent non-citizens from voting in U.S. elections. The bill, previously passed in the House of Representatives in 2024 but not in the Senate, has been criticized for provisions that may prevent married women from registering to vote.

August 2025: Roy expressed concern over flights from Gaza

In August 2025, Chip Roy voiced his concern about incoming flights that were allegedly filled with people from Gaza.

October 2025: Roy introduced the "Preserving A Sharia-Free America Act"

In October 2025, Chip Roy introduced the "Preserving A Sharia-Free America Act", which would deport foreign nationals who "observe sharia" from the United States.