Former President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of federal intervention in the Texas redistricting standoff. "They may have to do that," Trump told Fox News on 5/8 when asked if the government and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) would locate and arrest the more than 50 Democratic lawmakers who fled Texas.
Trump noted that many, including the Texas Attorney General and Governor Greg Abbott, have urged the lawmakers to return. "You can't just walk out on this, you have to go back and fight it out. That’s what elections are all about," Trump said, addressing the Democratic lawmakers.
On 30/7, Texas Republicans unveiled a proposed new electoral map adjusting the boundaries of five voting districts. This adjustment could potentially give the Republican party five additional seats in the US House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections, strengthening their narrow majority in the federal legislature.
With Republicans holding a majority in both chambers of the Texas legislature, the new map would likely pass if put to a vote on 5/8. However, the move has faced strong opposition from Democrats, sparking a confrontation between lawmakers from both parties. Consequently, 57 Democratic lawmakers left Texas on the afternoon of 3/8, most heading to Illinois, with others choosing Massachusetts or New York, all states with Democratic governors.
Governor Abbott, a Republican and Trump ally, announced on 4/8 that he had "directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to locate, arrest, and return to the Texas House of Representatives, those who have abandoned their responsibilities to the people of Texas." The Texas Attorney General added that the lawmakers "need to be found and brought back, wherever they are." These orders, however, are only enforceable within Texas, meaning the Democratic lawmakers could only be arrested upon their return.
Because the FBI is a federal agency, they could potentially apprehend the lawmakers in other states if a warrant were issued. "I think they’ve abandoned the state. Nobody’s ever seen anything like it, even though they’ve done it twice. In a way, they’ve abandoned their state. It’s terrible," Trump added. This is the second time Texas Democrats have left the state to block Republican voting bills.
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Former President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on 5/8. Photo: AFP |
Former President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on 5/8. Photo: AFP
When asked if he thought Texas' redistricting plan would prompt similar retaliatory actions from Democrat-leaning states, Trump replied, "they’ll do it anyway."
"Democrats have been doing it long before we started. They do it all over the place, including New York," Trump added.
Trump praised Texas' redistricting plan, claiming it has widespread support. He also commended Governor Abbott, stating the plan's future depends on him.
Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama criticized the Texas redistricting plan. "Right now, Texas Republicans are trying to manipulate district lines to unfairly pick up five seats in next year’s midterms. This is power-grabbing, undermining our democracy," Obama posted on X.
On 5/8, Governor Abbott filed an emergency petition with the state Supreme Court seeking to remove Representative Gene Wu, one of the lawmakers who left the state. The lawsuit argues that Wu, a Democratic leader in the Texas House, violated the state constitution and his absence constitutes abandonment of office.
Wu has not yet commented on the Governor's action.
Huyen Le (NBC News, Fox News)
