History of Dan Crenshaw in Timeline

Dan Crenshaw is an American politician and former Navy SEAL, currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 2nd congressional district since 2019. A Republican, his background as a decorated veteran often informs his political positions. Before entering politics, Crenshaw served in the Navy for ten years, completing multiple deployments and earning several commendations, including two Bronze Stars. He lost his right eye due to an IED explosion in Afghanistan and continues to serve as a prominent voice within the Republican Party on matters of national security and veteran affairs.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

March 14, 1984: Dan Crenshaw's Birth

On March 14, 1984, Daniel Reed Crenshaw was born. He is now an American politician and former United States Navy SEAL officer.

2002: Graduation from Colegio Nueva Granada

In 2002, Dan Crenshaw graduated from Colegio Nueva Granada in Bogotá, Colombia.

2006: Graduation from Tufts University

In 2006, Dan Crenshaw graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and a minor in physics.

June 2008: Completion of SEAL Qualification Training

In June 2008, Dan Crenshaw completed SEAL qualification training and received the 1130 designator as a Naval Special Warfare Officer.

2012: Wounded in Afghanistan

In 2012, Dan Crenshaw lost his right eye during his third deployment when he was hit by an IED explosion in Afghanistan's Helmand Province.

2013: Crenshaw marries Tara Blake

In 2013, Dan Crenshaw married Tara Blake.

2015: Crenshaw compares Christianity and Islam

In 2015, Crenshaw took issue with people trying to suggest Christianity is as shocking and as violent as Islam, saying, the worst thing modern Christianity stands for is anti-homosexual marriage, which is a far cry from sex slaves, sharia law and beheadings.

2015: Criticism of Donald Trump

In 2015, Dan Crenshaw made criticisms of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.

2016: Crenshaw criticizes Trump's rhetoric towards Muslims

In 2016, Crenshaw harshly criticized then-candidate Trump's insane rhetoric toward Muslims and hateful speech.

2016: Became Trump Defender

In 2016, Dan Crenshaw became a "staunch defender" of Donald Trump after the election.

2016: Medical Retirement from Navy

In 2016, Dan Crenshaw medically retired from military service with the rank of lieutenant commander.

November 2017: Announced Candidacy for Congress

In November 2017, Dan Crenshaw announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in Texas's 2nd congressional district.

2017: Master's Degree from Harvard

In 2017, Dan Crenshaw received a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

February 2018: Campaign Issues Defined

In February 2018, Dan Crenshaw stated that border security and immigration reform would be two of his campaign issues.

2018: Crenshaw defends Trump's border wall proposal

During Crenshaw's 2018 campaign, he defended Trump's proposal to build a border wall on the Mexico–United States border.

2018: Crenshaw on Global Warming and the Paris Climate Accords

During his 2018 campaign, Crenshaw's website briefly mentioned global warming, applauding Trump for withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accords, calling the agreement costly and meaningless virtue signaling and bad policy. In 2018, Crenshaw called for a debate on the causes of climate change.

2018: Saturday Night Live Controversy

In 2018, Pete Davidson made jokes about Dan Crenshaw's appearance on Saturday Night Live, which led to widespread criticism and a subsequent apology from Davidson, which was later rescinded. This event may have aided Crenshaw's election and fundraising.

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2018: Fraud in North Carolina's District 9 election

In 2019, Crenshaw voiced opposition to the For the People Act of 2019, saying it would limit free speech drastically and legalize electoral fraud that he alleges occurred on the Republican side in the 2018 election for North Carolina's District 9.

May 2019: Crenshaw on asylum seeker requests

In May 2019, during an appearance on The View, Crenshaw claimed that 80%–90% of asylum seeker requests don't have a valid asylum claim; news outlet PolitiFact called the claim false.

2019: Crenshaw on Syria and Soleimani

In 2019, Crenshaw co-sponsored a resolution opposing Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria. He also supported Trump's decision to kill Iranian major general Qasem Soleimani.

2019: Crenshaw on climate change

In 2019, Crenshaw stated that climate change is occurring and that man-made emissions play a part in that. He said that it isn't clear how our actions will serve to reverse that warming trend, and what the cost-benefit outcome would be.

2019: Crenshaw voices opposition to the For the People Act of 2019

In 2019, Crenshaw voiced opposition to the For the People Act of 2019, saying it would limit free speech drastically and legalize electoral fraud. He also referred to alleged electoral fraud that occurred on the Republican side in the 2018 election for North Carolina's District 9.

2019: Became US Representative for Texas

In 2019, Dan Crenshaw started serving as the U.S. representative for Texas's 2nd congressional district.

February 2020: Crenshaw launches podcast

In February 2020, Crenshaw launched Hold These Truths, a podcast.

April 2020: Crenshaw introduces bill on civil suits against foreign states

In April 2020, Crenshaw and Senator Tom Cotton introduced a bill that would allow civil suits against foreign states in incidents related to injury or death, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

August 26, 2020: Spoke at Republican National Convention

On August 26, 2020, Dan Crenshaw spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention.

October 16, 2020: Campaign Spending

By October 16, 2020, Dan Crenshaw had spent over $11 million in his reelection campaign, making it one of the most expensive Congressional races in the country.

2020: Crenshaw criticizes renewable energy

In 2020, Crenshaw criticized solar and wind energy as silly solutions that don't work, and instead advocated expanding nuclear energy and carbon capture technology.

2020: Crenshaw votes on appropriations acts

In 2020, Crenshaw voted for the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, which authorizes DHS to nearly double the available H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2020. He also voted for the Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 1158).

2020: Implicated in VA Report

In 2020, Dan Crenshaw was implicated in a report by the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs as having engaged in a campaign of disparagement toward a female veteran.

2020: Crenshaw in Fortune 40 Under 40

In 2020, Fortune magazine included Crenshaw in its 40 Under 40 in the Government and Politics category.

2020: Crenshaw on the 2020 election

In 2020, after Liz Cheney was censured for voting to impeach Trump, Crenshaw asserted that the Republican Party needed to move on from claims the 2020 election was stolen. He also accused the media of continuing to weaponize the issue and said he did not think Trump was the devil or Jesus.

2020: Crenshaw criticizes Republicans contesting the 2020 election

In 2022, on his podcast Hold These Truths, Crenshaw criticized Republicans who contested the results of the 2020 presidential election, saying it was always a lie meant to rile people up.

January 13, 2021: Crenshaw voted against Trump impeachment

On January 13, 2021, Dan Crenshaw voted against the second impeachment of President Trump. Crenshaw stated that while Trump's words had encouraged unconstitutional theories, he voted against impeachment because the Democrats had rushed the process. He also felt that impeaching a president with only seven days left in office would serve little purpose and inflame further tensions.

March 2021: Reported Violation of STOCK Act

In March 2021, it was reported that Dan Crenshaw had violated the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act of 2012 by failing to properly disclose stock trades made in March 2020.

April 2021: Crenshaw suffers detached retina

In April 2021, Crenshaw suffered a detached retina in his functional left eye, undergoing emergency surgery. He expected to be virtually blind for about a month during recovery.

2021: Crenshaw on the Texas power crisis

During the 2021 Texas power crisis, Crenshaw argued that the Green New Deal would lead to similar crises.

2021: Crenshaw accuses Biden administration of provoking border crisis

In 2021, Crenshaw accused the Biden administration of provoking a crisis on the southern border by having a moratorium on deportations and reversing Trump's policies on asylum and illegal immigration.

2022: Crenshaw supports aid package to Ukraine

In 2022, Crenshaw voiced support for a $40 billion aid package to Ukraine. Fox News political commentator Tucker Carlson criticized him for this.

2022: Crenshaw criticizes Republicans contesting the 2020 election

In 2022, on his podcast Hold These Truths, Crenshaw criticized Republicans who contested the results of the 2020 presidential election, saying it was always a lie meant to rile people up.

September 12, 2023: Birth of Crenshaw's daughter

On September 12, 2023, Dan Crenshaw and his wife Tara Blake welcomed their daughter, Susan Crenshaw, named after his late mother.

2023: Crenshaw supports Israel after Hamas attack

In 2023, Crenshaw voted to provide Israel with support following the Hamas attack on Israel.

January 2025: Introduced "Preventing Unjust Red Flag Laws Act"

In January 2025 Dan Crenshaw introduced the "Preventing Unjust Red Flag Laws Act," which stops federal money being given to states which have red flag laws.

February 2025: Hot Mic Comment

In February 2025, Dan Crenshaw was captured on a hot mic stating that he wanted to "fucking kill" conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, leading to backlash.

May 22, 2025: Crenshaw Amendment Passed by House

On May 22, 2025, the Crenshaw Amendment, a legislative provision that would have prohibited the use of Federal funds in Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the Affordable Care Act from paying for specified gender transition procedures, was included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as passed by the House of Representatives.