Gov. Abbott Threatens Arrest and Removal of Texas Democrats After Walkout Over Redistricting Vote

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a bold ultimatum to dozens of Democratic state lawmakers who fled the state in an attempt to block a redistricting vote—return to the Capitol by Monday afternoon or face potential arrest and expulsion from office.

Over 50 Texas House Democrats departed for Chicago late Sunday in a coordinated move to deny the Republican-led chamber the quorum needed to proceed with a controversial redistricting plan. The walkout triggered a fiery response from Abbott, who called their departure an act of abandonment.

“Texans don’t run from a fight,” Abbott declared, criticizing the lawmakers for leaving during a pivotal legislative moment. “Instead of doing the job they were elected to do, they have chosen to abandon their post.”

To move forward with legislative business, at least 100 of the 150 House members must be present. With the Democratic exodus, that threshold cannot be met. Abbott insists the lawmakers are obligated by duty—and by law—to vote, stating, “Their participation is mandatory, not optional.”

The House is scheduled to reconvene at 3 p.m. Monday. If the missing lawmakers do not return by then, Abbott says they could face removal from office. Attorney General Ken Paxton has already backed the governor’s stance, suggesting that the absent Democrats should be “arrested wherever they may be.”

🚨 JUST IN: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has signaled support for Speaker Dustin Burrows’ potential move to have the absent Democrats “IMMEDIATELY arrested.”
“These radical Democrats are disrespecting every Texan they represent,” Paxton posted.

Abbott added that under the Texas Constitution, any legislator found to have “vacated their office by desertion” could legally be replaced.

But that’s not the only threat facing the absent lawmakers. The governor also warned that soliciting donations to pay off any resulting fines may qualify as a felony under state bribery laws. “If any member accepts or agrees to accept financial support for violating legislative obligations, that may constitute bribery,” Abbott said. “Those who offer the funds may also be held criminally liable.”

He concluded with a stern warning: “If necessary, I will invoke my authority to request extradition of any lawmaker who has broken the law while out of state.”

The redistricting proposal at the heart of the conflict has sparked outrage among Democrats, who claim it’s a calculated attempt to dilute minority voting power and add five new Republican House seats—particularly targeting districts in traditionally Democratic cities like Houston and Dallas. One such district currently represented by Democrat Jasmine Crockett would be dramatically reshaped.

House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu addressed reporters in Chicago, saying, “We didn’t leave Texas to play political games. We left to stand against a broken system.”

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker joined the Democrats in a show of solidarity, praising their departure as a “righteous and brave stand” against a GOP scheme to silence Black and Latino voters.

“These legislators had no choice,” Pritzker said. “They had to leave Texas to protect the democratic rights of their constituents.”

No return date has been announced by the lawmakers.

Tensions had already been simmering at the Capitol last week during the House Redistricting Committee’s first public hearing on the proposed map overhaul—just four years after the last one was approved. The session drew hours of testimony from concerned Texans, none of whom spoke in favor of the plan.

The hearing ended in controversy when congressional candidate Isaiah Martin exceeded his two-minute speaking limit. As he refused to stop, Chairman Cody Vasut ordered his removal by security. “History will not remember you kindly!” Martin shouted while being escorted out.