Mitt Romney: Ted Cruz is a "natural born citizen"
Mitt Romney on Friday said that Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is a "natural born citizen," days after Donald Trump raised questions about Cruz's status.
The 2012 GOP presidential nominee issued the statement on Twitter and also said that President Obama and his father, George Romney, are also "natural born citizens."
.@tedcruz is a "natural born citizen." Obama too. Even George Romney. This isn't the issue you're looking for.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) January 8, 2016
Earlier this week, Trump said he wasn't sure Cruz qualifies to be president because he's not sure he's considered a "natural born citizen" because Cruz was born in Canada. Cruz, however, has asserted that he is because his mother was an American.
Cruz told CBS News on Thursday, "This issue is a non-issue."
Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, who also said Cruz's status is worth looking into, modified his remarks in a radio interview on Thursday.
"This is something constitutional scholars should make a decision on. I assume that he is eligible, that's my assumption, and I will continue to assume that until it is contradicted," McCain said. "But it needs to be looked at, as every aspect of anyone who wants to be the president of the United States should be quote 'looked at,' and I don't see anything wrong with that."
As the GOP presidential nominee in 2008, McCain faced similar questions during that race because he was born in Panama. McCain, however, said he is a "natural born citizen" because he was born in the Canal Zone on a U.S. military base.
Romney's father, George, who ran for president in 1968 was born in Mexico to American parents.
Trump has advised Cruz to seek a declaratory judgment in court to clarify his status.