Donald Trump has suggested the FBI "may have to" assist Texas Republicans in arresting Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a plan to redraw electoral boundaries. Speaking to reporters, Trump said, "The governor of Texas is demanding they come back. You can't just sit it out."
Texas Governor Greg Abbott filed an emergency petition with the state supreme court seeking to remove state Representative Gene Wu, chair of the House Democratic caucus, from office. Abbott described the move as necessary to enforce a quorum in the state legislature.
US Senator John Cornyn of Texas sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, urging the bureau to take "any appropriate steps" to aid Texas law enforcement in locating and arresting the Democrats who have fled to Illinois, New York, or Massachusetts. The Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows has also signed civil arrest warrants for the absent lawmakers.
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin condemned Abbott's actions as "morally repugnant" and a "weak attempt at Trump-style intimidation." Martin warned that if lawmakers can be removed for representing their constituents, "we do not have a democracy anymore."
The standoff follows the Democrats' departure to prevent the Republican-controlled legislature from adopting a plan to redraw congressional districts, a move that could help Republicans retain their House majority in the 2026 midterm elections.
