Texas Democrats arrive in Illinois to block vote back home on redrawn House maps sought by Trump
apnews.com
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott called a special session of the Legislature that started last month to take up the redistricting effort that President Donald Trump has urged.

Texas Democrats are leaving the state in an attempt to prevent the state House from holding a vote Monday on new congressional maps that Republicans hope will net them several additional U.S. House seats in the 2026 midterm elections.

The dramatic move Sunday could expose Democrats to fines and other penalties — with the state’s attorney general having previously threatened to arrest them if they took such an action. Refusing to attend legislative session is a civil violation, however, so Democrats legally could not be jailed and it’s unclear who has the power to carry out the warrants.

Democrats have cast the decision to leave the state as a last-ditch effort to stop Republicans who hold full control of the Texas government from pushing through a rare mid-decade redrawing of the congressional map at the direction of President Donald Trump.

  • mkwt@lemmy.world
    51·
    3 days ago

    That’s why they’re leaving the state. It’s conceivable that Texas Rangers could arrest lawmakers on these warrants for the purpose of returning them directly to the legislature. It’s much less conceivable that Texas can get extradition from another state.

    • Basic Glitch@sh.itjust.worksOP
      16·
      3 days ago

      Hopefully

      Trump: Hold my beer democracy

      I’m just not putting anything past him right now. He wants an official constitutional crisis sooo bad. The war of passive aggression is only fun when people are bowing down to him.

      I’m also just really worried since MAGA base hasn’t let go of Epstein, he would use something like this as a distraction. Especially with all those new ICE hires who I’m sure would jump at the chance to receive a medal for violating the constitution on behalf of POTUS. But that is also just me being anxious and trying to prepare for worst case scenario.

      I’m glad they’re at least trying to resist bc this is insane, and he’s honestly left them with no other option. Even if they do just vote for it anyway, I’m not sure what else Dems really can do at this point? At least they’re doing something.

      Hoping this is receiving local attention, but if TX news is looking anything like local news in my state rn I would guess that’s a no.