Civil warrants issued for Texas Dems who fled state
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Gov. Greg Abbott at the Texas Governor's Mansion earlier this year. Photo: Azul Sordo/The Dallas Morning News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday he had ordered state police to find and arrest Democratic lawmakers after the state House issued civil arrest warrants — though state law enforcement is restricted to making arrests in Texas.
Why it matters: It's the latest attempt by Abbott to compel Democrats back to the Capitol, escalating a standoff that began when over 50 Democrats fled the state to delay votes on a redistricting map that will give Republicans five more congressional seats.
What they're saying: "By fleeing the state, Texas House Democrats are holding hostage critical legislation to aid flood victims and advance property tax relief. There are consequences for dereliction of duty," Abbott said in a statement.
- Abbott added that he ordered the state Department of Public Safety to find, arrest and return "any member who has abandoned their duty to Texans."
- This order will remain in effect until all missing Democrat House members are accounted for and brought to the Texas Capitol."
Yes, but: DPS officers are state law enforcement agents, meaning their authority ends at the Texas state border.
- If lawmakers are found within Texas, DPS can detain them and escort them to the Capitol.
Catch up quick: Democrats left the state Sunday to try to stall a vote on a President Trump-led proposal to redraw the districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections that could net Republicans up to five seats.
- The Democrats face a $500 fine for every day they break quorum.
The other side: Democrats say the redistricting map is "illegal voter suppression of Black and Latino Central Texans" and a "threat to American democracy."
- Lawmakers who left the state appear unfazed by the governor's threats earlier to remove them from office.
- "He's trying to get sound bites and he has no legal mechanism," Houston-based state Rep. Jolanda Jones said at a briefing in New York on Monday.
What we're watching: Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) and some of the Texas political leaders who fled the state will hold a briefing in Chicago at 10:30am Tuesday ET, the day before the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.
- Martin told CNN the Democrats would "fight fire with fire" against Republicans.
- The governors of Democratic-led states including California and N.Y. have suggested they may consider their own redistricting drives if Texas passes the proposed map, though those two states would require constitutional amendments.
- "We are at war," N.Y. Governor Kathy Hochul (D) said at the briefing with the Texas Democrats. "That's why the gloves are off and I say, bring it on."
More from Axios:
- The problems awaiting Texas Democrats if they return
- "I hate it": Redistricting arms race gives lawmakers heartburn
- How the Supreme Court kickstarted the redistricting arms race
Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.
