Texas Democrats Defy Arrest Warrant Amid Congressional Standoff

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu remains defiant as a U.S. senator seeks FBI assistance to return him and fellow lawmakers to Texas. On Thursday, Wu told CNN that he is not worried about potential arrests related to civil warrants just issued. “We know that the governor has no power outside of the state,” Wu stated during an interview on “The Situation Room.”

Dozens of Democratic lawmakers have fled Texas, opting to stay in states like Illinois and New York to avoid voting on GOP-backed legislative changes. Earlier this week, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows signed civil arrest warrants for the absent lawmakers, claiming law enforcement would need time to act. These warrants allegedly empower state troopers to locate and return Democrats to the Capitol.

Wu emphasized the lack of legal basis for the FBI’s involvement, stating, “We know that the federal government cannot get involved unless there is a legal reason.” Legal experts agree that arresting lawmakers outside Texas is unlikely based on the warrants.

Amid the ongoing conflict, Republican U.S. Senator John Cornyn announced that the FBI has granted his request to assist state law enforcement in tracking down the missing lawmakers. In a statement, Cornyn said agents have been assigned from the bureau’s Austin and San Antonio offices, though it remains unclear what their role will be.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is intensifying pressure on the fleeing Democrats, claiming some may still be within the state. “We have a dragnet taking place across the entire state to locate and bring to the Capitol at least a dozen Democrats,” Abbott told Fox News.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized the threats from Texas leaders, calling them an attempt to thwart democracy. “We’re going to do everything we can to protect these Texas House Democrats,” he asserted at a recent press conference.

This situation mirrors a 2003 event when over 50 Texas lawmakers fled to deny Republicans a quorum needed to pass redistricting plans. Back then, the Justice Department did not assist, stating there was no valid reason to deploy federal resources.

Senator Cornyn has expressed concern that absent legislators might be guilty of bribery for accepting funds related to their travel. However, no charges have been filed. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced he is investigating a political action committee associated with former Congressman Beto O’Rourke that has reportedly funded these lawmakers’ expenses.

As tensions escalate over redistricting efforts in Texas, the outcome could significantly impact future elections, with implications for both state and national politics. “In Texas, there are consequences for your actions,” Abbott warned on social media.