‘Hardly A Compelling Argument’: Jonathan Turley Says Beto’s ‘F*** The Rules’ Rant Will Backfire

George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley let loose on former Rep. Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke on Monday, predicting that his weekend rant on the Texas redistricting fight was likely to come back and bite him in the backside.

Turley said that O’Rourke’s admonition to fellow Democrats — namely that it was time to say “f*** the rules” and do whatever it takes to win — could be a liability when it came to an imminent court battle. O’Rourke is currently fighting a temporary restraining order issued pursuant to his efforts to funnel money to Texas legislators who disrupted a special session by breaking quorum and fleeing the state.

“Beto O’Rourke clearly believes that the combination of profanity and illegality is just the ticket for Democrats in 2026: ‘F**k the rules, we are going to win whatever it takes,'” Turley began in a thread posted to X. “After a ruling against him in court, he seems to have dispensed with democracy in favor of anarchy.”

Beto O’Rourke clearly believes that the combination of profanity and illegality is just the ticket for Democrats in 2026: “F**k the rules, we are going to win whatever it takes.” After a ruling against him in court, he seems to have dispensed with democracy in favor of anarchy.

— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) August 10, 2025

Turley gently reminded O’Rourke that the now-viral video of his comments was likely to make its way into the hands of opposing counsel — and that it could be used to bolster the assertion that he was intentionally funding lawlessness.

“As his lawyers appeal the ruling of the Texas judge over his group’s alleged funding of Democratic legislators who fled the state, his statement is likely to be highlighted in opposing briefs to show an utter disregard for the law and contempt for the judicial system,” Turley pointed out.

…O’Rourke appears to follow the John McEnroe school of appealing adverse rulings. The problem is that O’Rourke’s court tantrum will only undermine his case and his cause going forward. “F**k the rules” is hardly a compelling argument for most judges.

— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) August 10, 2025

“O’Rourke appears to follow the John McEnroe school of appealing adverse rulings,” Turley added. “The problem is that O’Rourke’s court tantrum will only undermine his case and his cause going forward. ‘F**k the rules’ is hardly a compelling argument for most judges.”

The former Texas Rep. called on Democrats in blue states to do whatever they could to manipulate congressional maps for maximum advantage, saying that if his party regained power, they would pull out all the stops to ram through as many radical policies as possible: “We’re gonna drive that car like we stole it.”