Watch: Ted Cruz goes for a ride to D.C. with 'People's Convoy' truck

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) literally and figuratively jumped on the bandwagon Thursday morning following a visit to the "People's Convoy," an American version of the recent Canadian trucker protests that's circling around the Washington, D.C. area, The Washington Post reports.
Cruz snagged shotgun in the lead truck heading into the capital from Hagerstown Speedway, while the rest of the convoy plans to continue its circling of the Capital Beltway in protest of COVID-19 restrictions. The lead truck is heading into Washington for a news conference, the Post writes.
"The convoy is not [going into D.C.]," said Brian Brase, the convoy's organizer, while sitting in the lead truck. "The convoy's going to continue its normal operation. This truck will be going into D.C."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
And Cruz will be riding along. "There ain't no ignoring a senator riding in the lead truck," Brase told the crowd earlier, calling Cruz's presence "basically an endorsement of what we're doing."
"Your voice is being heard," Cruz addressed the protesters on Thursday. "What the men and women want here is for the government to leave you the hell alone. ... That is the most American sentiment you could imagine," he said, per the Post.
The convoy of "big rigs, RVs and pickups" began circling the Beltway on Sunday, and repeated the demonstration both Monday and Tuesday. They paused Wednesday because of rain and worrisome road conditions.
At the moment, it's not entirely clear when the convoy might clear out, the Post reports; Brase has said the convoy will continue its crusade until mandates for health workers, federal employees, and military personnel are eliminated (though many pandemic restrictions at both the federal and local level have been rescinded, the Post notes).
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
As of Thursday, there have been no arrests or towed vehicles as a result of the protest, officials said.
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
What will security guarantees for Ukraine look like?
Today's Big Question From boots on the ground to economic sanctions, here are the measures that might stop Russia taking another bite out of Ukraine
-
The US Open's controversial 'superstars' doubles format
Talking Point New shortened competition attracts star pairings and bigger audiences to grand slam tennis event
-
Sudoku medium: August 21, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
Trump halts Gaza visas as Israelis protest war
Speed Read Laura Loomer voiced her concerns over injured Palestinian kids being brought to the US for treatment and a potential 'Islamic invasion'
-
Russia tries Ukraine land grab before Trump summit
Speed Read The incursion may be part of Putin's efforts to boost his bargaining position
-
US, China extend trade war truce for 90 days
Speed Read The triple-digit tariff threat is postponed for another three months
-
Europe counters Putin ahead of Trump summit
Speed Read President Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this week for Ukraine peace talks
-
Israeli security cabinet OKs Gaza City takeover
Speed Read Netanyahu approved a proposal for Israeli Defense Forces to take over the largest population center in the Gaza Strip
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
Thailand, Cambodia agree to ceasefire in border fight
Speed Read At least 38 people were killed and more than 300,000 displaced in the recent violence
-
Israel 'pauses' Gaza military activity as aid outcry grows
Speed Read The World Health Organization said malnutrition has reached 'alarming levels' in Gaza