U.S. Sen Ted Cruz blasted the Parker administration for subpoenaing sermons delivered by certain pastors in front of a large crowd at Houston First Baptist Church on Thursday, calling the requests an "indefensible assault on religious liberty."

Cruz, R-Texas, was joined by the five pastors who were issued subpoenas as part of the discovery phase of a lawsuit Christian conservatives have filed against the city in regard to Houston's equal rights ordinance. Cruz took aim at Mayor Annise Parker and the legal team that issued the subpoenas, saying they have no authority to determine whether "the sermons you preach on Sunday are acceptable in City Hall on Monday."

"The City of Houston has no power, no legal authority to silence the church," Cruz said, pausing for a wave of applause. "Caesar has no jurisdiction over the pulpit."

Cruz's comments Thursday marked just the latest fallout from the subpoenas, which have sparked outrage among Christian conservative groups across the country. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott late Wednesday sent a letter urging the city to withdraw the subpoena.

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