FBI, Trump Join Texas Democrat Redistricting Standoff

Texas Republicans, supported by Sen. John Cornyn and President Trump, have involved the FBI under Director Kash Patel to help locate over 50 Democratic state lawmakers who fled Texas to block a GOP-led redistricting vote that could give Republicans five more U.S. House seats. The Texas House remains unable to conduct business due to lack of quorum, and GOP leaders have threatened civil arrest and removal from office, though such warrants cannot be enforced outside Texas. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has promised to protect the Texas Democrats in his state, especially after a bomb threat targeted their hotel, emphasizing Texas warrants hold no authority in Illinois. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into potential legal violations involving funding from Beto O’Rourke’s PAC and national Democratic organizations for the lawmakers’ stay. The FBI's precise role and jurisdiction in the matter remain unclear, as no federal charges have been filed. The episode underscores growing partisan conflict over redistricting, voting rights, and federal-state power.