US Congressman Praises Nawrocki's Stance in Polish Constitutional Tribunal Dispute

In brief

• A Republican congressman from Texas, Keith Self, has written to Polish President Karol Nawrocki praising his response to the Constitutional Tribunal dispute.
• The letter, dated November 6, 2026, describes the October 30 events and the president's return to Poland.
• Sławomir Cenckiewicz responded that the praise was pleasant but marginal.

A letter from Washington

Keith Self, chair of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Europe and a Republican from Texas, has sent a letter to President Karol Nawrocki. In it he expresses what he describes as deep admiration for the president's leadership on the night of October 30. (Republika pokazała "list z Kongresu". "Amerykanie murem za Nawrockim". Były ambasador USA dementuje – Gazeta) ("Głęboki podziw" dla Nawrockiego. Do Pałacu przyszedł list z USA – Interia Wydarzenia) ("Taka determinacja jest rzadkością". Zaskakujący list z USA do Karola Nawrockiego – Wirtualna Polska)

What the letter says

Self writes that the Polish constitutional order faced a direct threat on the eve of the end of October. He recalls that Nawrocki cancelled a foreign visit and returned to Poland immediately after learning that the head of the Constitutional Tribunal had been suspended and that the tribunal's seat was surrounded by police. (Głos z USA w sprawie Trybunału Konstytucyjnego. "Taka determinacja jest rzadkością" – Polsat News)

Self states that the president's conduct showed that state institutions in Poland cannot be taken over with a police cordon. He describes the determination Nawrocki displayed as rare and of great importance. He also stresses Poland's role on NATO's eastern flank.

Domestic reaction

The letter drew a sharp response at home. Sławomir Cenckiewicz called the praise pleasant but marginal.

Context

The exchange comes as the dispute over the Constitutional Tribunal remains a central political issue in Poland. The letter is the latest sign of interest from Washington in the conflict, though its weight is limited to a single congressional subcommittee chair and carries no official US government position.