Illinois Gov Pritzker Protects Texas Democrats Fleeing Arrest Threats

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has pledged to protect Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled to Illinois to block a Republican-led redistricting effort that would increase GOP seats in the Texas House. The Texas Republicans, including Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton, have called for the FBI to arrest the Democrats and return them to Texas, accusing them of criminal acts and threatening penalties and arrest warrants. Pritzker has rejected these efforts, stating there is no applicable federal law permitting such arrests in Illinois and affirming that state and local law enforcement will safeguard the lawmakers. The Democrats' flight has led to heightened tensions, including a bomb threat near their Illinois location, though no device was found. President Donald Trump supports the new redistricting plan and has encouraged efforts to bring back the Democrats. The situation reflects ongoing partisan battles over redistricting and legislative quorum tactics, with Pritzker criticizing Texas officials for not following the law while defending the Democrats' actions as lawful and necessary.