Texas AG Ken Paxton sues to remove 13 Democrats over quorum-breaking walkout
The suit, filed with the Texas Supreme Court on Aug. 8, asserts that the prolonged absence of the Democratic legislators amounts to an abandonment of their elected offices. The 13 Texas state Democrats were part of a contingent of lawmakers who left the state on Aug. 2 in an effort to deny Republicans the quorum needed to pass their proposed new congressional maps.
The maps, demanded by Trump and pushed through by Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott, are designed to give Republicans five new Texas seats in the U.S. House of Representatives following the November 2026 election.
Paxton targeted legislators from Texas' most populous cities, such as Austin, Houston and Dallas.
'The rogue Democrat legislators who fled the state have abandoned their duties, leaving their seats vacant,' Paxton, who is running in 2026 for the U.S. Senate against incumbent GOP Sen. Jon Cornyn, said in a news release.
'These cowards deliberately sabotaged the constitutional process and violated the oath they swore to uphold. Their out-of-state rebellion cannot go unchecked, and the business of Texas must go on," Paxton added.
The lawsuit concedes that the Texas Constitution gives legislators in the minority party the right to "resist legislation," but asserts that the constitution likewise allows the majority party to compel attendance in an effort to ensure that state business is conducted.
More: Gov. Greg Abbott targets El Paso Rep. Vince Perez in Texas redistricting arrest push
'The Texas Constitution, statutes, and rules provide a broad range of tools for members of a legislative minority to be heard," the lawsuit states. "But those tools do not include concerted effort by members of the minority to disrupt the functioning of the Legislature by abdicating their duties, including spurning the constitutional authority of the remaining members to compel their attendance. When members of the Legislature disregard arrest warrants, refuse to perform their duties, and announce that they intend to prevent the Legislature from exercising its constitutional responsibilities, they have, through words and conduct, demonstrated an intent to relinquish and abandon their offices.'
The 13 Democratic state legislators being targeted by Paxton are:
State Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City
State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin
State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin
State Rep. Lulu Flores, D-Austin
State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin
State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, D-Plano
State Rep. Suleman Lalani, D-Houston
State Rep. John Bucy III, D-Austin
State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Arlington
State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston
State Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos, D-Dallas
State Rep. Christina Morales, D-Houston
State Rep. Jessica Gonzalez, D-Dallas
Paxton said the 13 Democrats are being singled out because they "made incriminating public statements regarding their refusal to return, essentially confirming in their own words the very grounds for this legal action," according to the news release.
Along with the lawsuit, Paxton is also moving to enforce arrest warrants in other states and is launching an investigation into the voting advocacy group Powered by People, which is currently getting a boost from former gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke, and Texas Majority PAC for what he claims is "an illegal financial influence scheme to bribe Democrats into breaking quorum."
O'Rourke, a former U.S. representative from El Paso, has challenged Paxton and others working to reshape congressional maps in the hopes of electing more Republicans.
"The guy impeached for bribery is going after the folks trying to stop the theft of five congressional seats," O'Rourke wrote in a post on X Wednesday, Aug. 6. "Let's stop these thugs before they steal our country."
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: AG Ken Paxton asks court to oust Dems who fled to block GOP redistricting
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
8 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Ted Cruz Wants Democratic Wipeout in Texas Over Newsom's California Plan
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz proposed that Texas extend the state's Republican advantage in the U.S. House of Representatives to a full Democratic wipeout if California Governor Gavin Newsom goes through with his plan to gerrymander seats. Newsom, a Democrat, has threatened to proceed with redistricting California so that his party has a majority in the U.S. House, and he urged President Donald Trump to stop Republican-governed states from redistricting, such as in Texas. Texas Democrats are thwarting a redistricting effort by state Republicans that, based on the previous election's results, could add five seats for the GOP in the U.S. House. They fled Texas to prevent the necessary quorum in the state legislature. "If California gerrymanders from its current 43-9 Dem advantage (83%) to a 52-0 Dem advantage (100%)... ...then Texas should go from a 24-14 GOP advantage (63%) to 38-0 (100%)," Cruz, a Republican, posted to X on Thursday morning. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
As Guard deploys, Trump to seek 'long-term' federal control of DC police
President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he will seek more permanent federal control of the Washington, D.C., police force as he continues his efforts to ramp-up crime enforcement in the nation's capital. Earlier this week, Trump announced his plans to deploy National Guard troops in the nation's capital, declaring a public safety emergency in order to put the Washington police department under federal control and station the National Guard on the city's streets. Trump's current control of the D.C. police force expires in 30 days, after which Congress would have to weigh in. Asked Wednesday whether he'd work with Congress to extend the emergency authorization allowing him to temporarily seize control of local law enforcement, Trump said he'll ask Congress for a "long-term" extension of federal authority over the Washington police force. MORE: National Guard troops told to maintain presence near National Mall as part of Trump's anti-crime mission "We're going to be asking for extensions on that -- long-term extensions, because you can't have 30 days," Trump said at an event at the Kennedy Center. Trump indicated at one point that he'd ask Congress for more funds to fight crime and to make repairs to Washington's streets and parks. "We're going to make Washington beautiful. We're going to redo roads. We're going to redo the medians. The pavers and the medians are all throughout the city. We're going to take all the graffiti off. We're going to have to remove the tents. And the people that are living in our parks, we're going to be redoing the parks, the grasses and all. We're going to be going to Congress for a relatively small amount of money. And [Senate Budget Committee chair and GOP Sen.] Lindsey [Graham] and the Republicans are going to be approving it," Trump said. MORE: What to know about DC Home Rule Act as Trump puts DC police under federal control Trump has long threatened to take control of Washington, saying he wants to crack down on violent crime in the District although police statistics show that in the past two years, violent crime has gone down. "Fighting crime is a good thing. We have to explain we're going to fight crime -- that's a good thing," Trump said Wednesday. "Already they're saying, 'He's a dictator,' he said, referring to Democrats. "The place is going to hell. We've got to stop it. So, instead of saying, 'He's a dictator,' they should say, 'We're going to join him and make Washington safe.'" "We're going to be essentially crime-free. This is going to be a beacon, and it's going to also serve as an example of what can be done," Trump said. The D.C. National Guard is expected to begin ramping up its presence along the National Mall and at the federal monuments in Washington overnight Wednesday into Thursday, according to several officials familiar with the plans. Officials said the Trump administration is still in the process of setting up a joint task force, which will be led by Army Col. Larry Doane. While the task force is expected to include 800 activated soldiers, D.C. residents won't see that many on the streets. The troops will work in shifts of 100 to 200 troops at a time, and some of them will be assigned to administrative or logistical roles in support of local law enforcement, officials told ABC News. ABC News producers did not see any National Guard or increased law enforcement presence around Washington Wednesday afternoon -- including around the National Mall, D.C. Armory or in Logan Circle where a man was gunned down and killed earlier this week. A White House official told ABC News that, beginning Wednesday night, officials expected a "significantly higher National Guard presence to be on the ground throughout Washington, D.C." The White House official added that beginning Wednesday night, the deployment will transition to round-the-clock, 24/7 operations. Those operations had been previously focused on evening and overnight hours. On Tuesday night, more than 1,450 federal law enforcement officers and National Guard members patrolled Washington, according to a White House official. Law enforcement teams made 43 arrests on Tuesday night -- nearly twice the number made Monday night, the official said. Those law enforcement teams included 750 D.C. Metropolitan Police Department officers who were "uniformed, marked as patrol and directly assigned as anti-crime officers," the White House official said. That was in addition to the federal law enforcement who had been previously mobilized in the area. The White House official said that there were about 30 National Guard troops on the ground last night. MORE: Trump admin live updates: Trump threatens 'severe consequences' for Putin if he doesn't stop war The law enforcement teams were "deployed throughout all seven districts in D.C. to promote public safety and arrest violent offenders," the White House official said. After Trump's announcement Monday, approximately 850 officers and agents fanned out over D.C. right after Trump declared a crime emergency in the capital, making 23 arrests, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday. On Tuesday, National Guard troops were spotted on the National Mall, with many stationed around the base of the Washington Monument. The troops left Wednesday morning. It was not immediately clear why the presence of U.S. troops along the National Mall was needed, other than to put Trump's orders on display. The area, marked by museums, monuments and long stretches of grass, is known as a relatively safe part of the city that attracts mostly tourists and school groups. ABC News' John Parkinson contributed to this report. Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that National Guard did not make any arrests of individuals in Washington. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
US warships sail in vicinity of disputed shoal where Chinese ships collided
A US Navy guided-missile destroyer performed a Freedom of Navigation operation (FONOP) near disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Wednesday, just two days after two Chinese military vessels collided while chasing a Philippine Coast Guard ship in nearby waters. The presence of the US ship in the area prompted China's military to accuse the US Navy of violating it's territorial sovereignty, but the US Navy said it had the right to be there. 'USS Higgins (DDG 76) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near Scarborough Reef, consistent with international law,' US Navy 7th Fleet spokesperson Lt. Sarah Merrill said in a statement to CNN. China, the Philippines and Taiwan all claim sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal, which is about 140 miles (222 kilometers) west of the main Philippine island of Luzon and within the Philippines exclusive economic zone. But China has effectively controlled the uninhabited shoal since 2012 by maintaining an almost constant coast guard presence in nearby waters, according to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. China and Taiwan each require advance notification of passage within the territorial waters of the reef, in violation of international laws guaranteeing the right of 'innocent passage' by foreign warships, Merrill said. The Philippines does not impose this requirement, she added. Merrill denied an earlier claim by China's Southern Theater Command that it 'organized its forces to track, monitor, warn and expel' the US warship as it 'violated China's territorial sovereignty.' 'China's statement about this mission is false,' Merrill said. 'The United States is defending its right to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows, as USS Higgins did here. Nothing China says otherwise will deter us,' Merrill said. According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the USS Higgins wasn't the only US warship in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday. The littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati was also nearby, spokesperson Jay Tarriela said in a statement on X. Merrill would only confirm to CNN that the Cincinnati was operating in the South China Sea. Wednesday's FONOP was the first near Scarborough Shoal in more than six years, according to Collin Koh, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore, who keeps a database of US Freedom of Navigation operations. It was also just the second FONOP in 2025, after one in the Spratly Islands in May. The US performed two FONOPs in the South China Sea in 2024 after executing five in 2023, according to Koh's database. China says such missions by the US threaten its sovereignty and peace and stability in the South China Sea. Tensions around Scarborough Shoal, home to rich fishing grounds, have been increasing as Beijing becomes more assertive in claiming of sovereignty over much of the South China Sea and Manila pushes back, embarking independent journalists on Philippine Coast Guard missions to document what it calls Chinese aggression. Wednesday's US Navy operation came two days after a Chinese navy guided-missile destroyer and coast guard ship collided near the shoal while chasing a Philippine Coast Guard vessel. The collision caused heavy damage to the bow of the China Coast Guard ship. In a state-run Global Times report late Wednesday, Chinese experts placed the blame for Monday's incident on the Philippines and, indirectly, its defense treaty ally, the US. The Philippine Coast Guard vessel made repeated dangerous maneuvers in front of the Chinese Coast Guard ship, the Global Times report said, without mentioning the presence of the Chinese destroyer. The media outlet reported that Chinese experts had said the 'Philippine ship's maneuvers severely compromised the navigational safety of the Chinese vessel, and seriously violated the most basic principles and rules of maritime navigational safety.' The report was accompanied by a 26-second video clip, which allegedly shows reckless action by the Philippine vessel, though did not show the moment of the collision between the Chinese ships. 'The full responsibility for the resulting damages lies with the Philippine side, and all losses should be entirely borne by the Philippine vessel that provoked and caused the incident at sea,' the report said in possible reference to the collision, which China has not specifically admitted. Carl Schuster, a former US Navy captain, reviewed the Global Times video for CNN and said the Chinese ship, being the overtaking ship, would be responsible for signaling its intentions to the Philippine vessel. 'There is no evidence they did so and the Philippine Coast Guard vessel is under no obligation to heave to,' or give way, Schuster said. The Global Times article quoted Yang Xiao, an expert on maritime issues at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, who pointed the finger of blame at the US military for training its Philippine ally in gray-zone tactics, actions below the level of open warfare but employing more than diplomacy or negotiations. Yang said the tactics violate 'internationally accepted norms of maritime law enforcement' and 'could lead to serious miscalculations and heightened risks of conflict at sea.' Solve the daily Crossword
