Texas Democrats Flee State Over GOP Gerrymandering

Texas Governor Greg Abbott filed a lawsuit with the Texas Supreme Court seeking to remove Democratic legislator Gene Wu—and potentially over 50 other Democrats—from office after they left the state to deny a quorum and block a Republican-driven redistricting plan that would add five GOP-leaning U.S. House seats. Abbott argues their absence constitutes abandonment of duty and requests a rare writ of quo warranto to oust Wu. He also ordered the lawmakers arrested and returned; President Trump signaled possible FBI involvement. Wu says breaking quorum fulfills his constitutional duty to oppose gerrymandering. The GOP-dominated Texas Supreme Court was asked to rule quickly, while Attorney General Ken Paxton noted removals would require individual county lawsuits. The clash comes amid broader national redistricting battles by both parties.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the state Department of Public Safety to issue civil arrest warrants for dozens of Texas House Democrats who left the state to block a GOP-led partisan redrawing of congressional maps. One lawmaker, Rep. Linda Garcia, spoke from Chicago about the warrants amid the ongoing standoff over redistricting.

CNN reports that Texas House Democrats left the state to block a GOP-led congressional redistricting backed by President Trump. In response, Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to have absent lawmakers removed and ordered civil arrest warrants. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries criticized Abbott’s threats as extreme, calling him “out of his mind” in an interview with Wolf Blitzer. The segment appears alongside broader coverage of Trump-era political controversies, including disputes over jobs data, tariffs, and media and cultural institutions.

Texas House Democrats left the state to block a Republican-backed redistricting vote supported by President Donald Trump, denying the chamber a quorum. Texas House Speaker issued civil arrest warrants and the governor ordered their arrest, but legal experts say such warrants likely can’t be enforced outside Texas. Democratic Rep. Ramón Romero said he’s willing to risk arrest or fines. The segment contextualizes the move within broader political tensions while noting related national news clips.