With the strong possibility that Democratic Marxist-Islamist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani may be elected mayor of New York City on Tuesday night, Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s sights are squarely on New Yorkers.
Anticipating the mass escape from New York that might occur with a Mamdani victory, Abbott wrote on X, “After the polls close tomorrow night, I will impose a 100% tariff on anyone moving to Texas from NYC.”
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After the polls close tomorrow night, I will impose a 100% tariff on anyone moving to Texas from NYC.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1985417851037991321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
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This move fits neatly into Abbott’s broader pattern of blending culture-war politics with aggressive state policy. Over the past year, he has made it clear that leftist ideologies — especially in academia — won’t be welcomed in the Lone Star State. “Texas is targeting professors who are more focused on pushing leftist ideologies rather than preparing students to lead our nation,” he wrote last month. “We must end indoctrination and return to education fundamentals at all levels of education.”
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Univ. of Texas professor was dismissed from an administrative post overseeing university academic affairs because of ideological differences.
Texas is targeting professors who are more focused on pushing leftist ideologies rather than preparing students to lead our nation.
We…
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1979953044977598674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Abbott has since championed audits of gender identity and LGBTQ courses across the University of Texas system, framing them as a battle for educational fundamentals. Texas lawmakers, meanwhile, are demanding even stricter oversight, convinced that schools are still promoting “radical leftist” content.
Abbott has also taken a hard line on immigration, and targeted the leftist Northeast. In 2022 alone, Texas bused nearly 16,000 migrants to sanctuary cities including New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Abbott indicated it was relief for overburdened localities. Even Democrats like former New York Governor David Patterson <a href="https://grabien.com/story?id=389990?utm_source=cliplist&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=cliplist20220816&amp;utm_content=story389990">admitted</a> the tactic was “brilliant” from a strategic standpoint, noting its ability to highlight federal inaction while putting sanctuary city leaders on the defensive.
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Abbott’s “100% tariff” joke signals a zero tolerance stance for residents leaving NYC for Texas if a progressive mayor takes office. The idea is to draw a stark line between Texas’ conservative values and what Abbott portrays as leftist chaos elsewhere.
From auditing classrooms to busing migrants and now slapping hypothetical tariffs on New Yorkers, Greg Abbott is proving that in Texas, governance and culture wars are inseparable — and that he won’t hesitate to take his fight beyond the state line.

US-NEWS-TEXAS-ABBOTT-SPECIAL-SESSION-NY

Mamdani Effect: Abbott Says He’ll Impose 100% Tariff On New Yorkers Moving To Texas After Election

Elections

Greg Abbott

New York City

Politics

Texas

Zohran Mamdani

A Texas GOP official has suspended a statewide program that prioritized non-white male businesses in state contracting. 
Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock <a href="https://comptroller.texas.gov/about/media-center/news/20251028-historically-underutilized-business-certification-process-under-review-by-acting-texas-comptroller-1761686774358">took action</a> this week to suspend new approvals for companies to be certified as a Historically Underutilized Business, giving them benefits in competing for state jobs. Hancock said that the program was constitutionally questionable because of its emphasis on race. 
“In Texas, we don&#8217;t want to discriminate against anybody, and what this program does is literally discriminate against those that are white,” Hancock told The Daily Wire. “It&#8217;s just been around for a long time, and we&#8217;ve just kind of accepted it and not looked at the constitutionality of it.”
To be defined as a Historically Underutilized Business, the company must be more than 50% owned by black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Native Americans, service-disabled veterans, or women. The program has been in place since 1991. Hancock explained the requirements as “unless you’re white, you qualify.” 
Advantages of being classified as a Historically Underutilized Business include opportunities to bid for contracts from around 300 state agencies that must make a “good faith” effort to reach out to them. 
For example, the Texas Department of Agriculture has <a href="https://texasagriculture.gov/About/Contracting/Historically-Underutilized-Business-HUB">set goals</a> that aim for it to use so-called underutilized businesses for 11.2% of heavy construction jobs, 21.1% of building construction, 32.9% of special trade construction, 23.7% of professional service contracts, 26.6% of other service contracts, and 21.1% of commodities contracts. 
Currently, about 21% of Historically Underutilized Businesses participate in state contracts as prime contractors or subcontractors, receiving 11% of all state spending in total, according to the comptroller’s office. The total awards given to the businesses are over $4 billion, including $1.45 billion for women-owned businesses and $1.6 billion for Hispanic-owned businesses. 
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Hancock said that he was concerned about the process of verifying that one had experienced economic discrimination. 
“How do we audit that somebody was economically discriminated against?” he asked. “How do we verify the information of somebody being economically discriminated against? It&#8217;s got to be more than just skin color.”
He said that contracts should be awarded on the basis of merit, not race or ethnicity. 
The suspension of the program comes after Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order prohibiting race and sex-based preferences when awarding government benefits.

Texas Governor Abbott Signs ERCOT Reforms Legislation Into Law

Billions On The Line: Texas Suspends DEI Program That Excluded White Males

'Unless You’re White, You Qualify': Texas Suspends Business Program Excluding White Males

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Racial Discrimination

Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott said on Sunday that the state is actively going after professors at public universities who push leftist ideologies over important studies.
Abbott made the comment in response to a University of Texas at Austin professor getting dismissed from an administrative post over &#8220;ideological differences,&#8221; a move that was <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/15/university-of-texas-mark-artman">reported</a> by Axios last week. In a <a href="https://x.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1979953044977598674">post</a> on X sharing the Axios story, Abbott wrote, &#8220;Texas is targeting professors who are more focused on pushing leftist ideologies rather than preparing students to lead our nation.&#8221;
&#8220;We must end indoctrination and return to education fundamentals at all levels of education,&#8221; he added.
After being dismissed, tenured psychology professor Art Markman said on LinkedIn he’s preparing for “a new chapter” in his career. He had been at the University of Texas for 27 years, eventually becoming senior vice provost for academic affairs. Markman is also a co-host of the science podcast, &#8220;<a href="https://www.npr.org/podcasts/381443482/two-guys-on-your-head">Two Guys on Your Head</a>.&#8221; He did not say what &#8220;ideological differences&#8221; led to his dismissal.
The Daily Wire reached out to the University of Texas at Austin, seeking comment.
Markman&#8217;s dismissal came as the University of Texas System, which consists of 14 academic and health institutions across the state, launched a review of gender identity and LGBTQ studies, the Austin American-Statesman <a href="https://www.statesman.com/news/education/article/ut-system-audits-gender-courses-gop-targets-21075365.php">reported</a>. The probe will look into courses at all 14 of the system&#8217;s institutions.
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&#8220;The U.T. System has been reviewing courses on gender identity taught at all U.T. institutions to ensure compliance and alignment with applicable law and state and federal guidance, and to make sure any courses that are taught on U.T. campuses are aligned with the direction and priorities of the Board of Regents,&#8221; the University of Texas System said in a statement. &#8220;This review will be discussed at the November Board of Regents’ meeting.&#8221;
Pressure has ramped up on Texas universities to gut courses that include diversity, equity, inclusion, and radical gender theory as President Donald Trump takes action against schools that push leftist ideologies.
Texas A&amp;M, which is not part of the University of Texas System, has also faced controversy in recent weeks after Dr. Melissa McCoul, an English professor, was filmed in class pushing pro-LGBT talking points and telling a student who opposed her to leave a lecture. The videos showing McCoul spouting radical gender theory in a children&#8217;s literature class at the university were obtained by Republican Texas Rep. Brian Harrison and first <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-texas-am-student-booted-from-lecture-after-objecting-to-professor-pushing-radical-gender-theory">reported</a> by The Daily Wire.
Harrison then went on a crusade accusing Texas A&amp;M of leftist bias and pushed for the university&#8217;s president, Mark Welsh to step down or be fired. Welsh&#8217;s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/texas-am-president-to-resign-after-leftist-politics-infiltrated-university-childrens-lit-course">resignation</a> was announced less than two weeks later.
Harrison appears unconvinced that Texas is going far enough to address LGBT courses at public universities. The state lawmaker <a href="https://x.com/brianeharrison/status/1979965546637472043">responded</a> to Abbott&#8217;s post on Sunday, saying that the University of Texas System is still promoting &#8220;LGBTQ Studies.&#8221; The University of Texas <a href="https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/wgss/courses/">offered</a> numerous courses on LGBT topics this fall, including &#8220;Queer Eastern Europe,&#8221; &#8220;Queer Latinx Aesthetics,&#8221; and &#8220;Black Queer Art Worlds.&#8221;

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott

Greg Abbott Says Texas Is ‘Targeting Professors’ Who Push Leftism

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The Trump administration will send Texas National Guard troops to Chicago to restore order amid a series of anti-ICE <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/fbi-arrests-two-after-attack-on-border-patrol-in-chicago?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Leif+Le+Mahieu&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=FBI+Arrests+Two+After+Attack+On+Border+Patrol+In+Chicago">attacks</a>.
Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker <a href="https://x.com/GovPritzker/status/1975013177026109717" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> on X Sunday night that Texas troops were preparing to come to the Windy City, casting the move as “Trump’s invasion.” By Monday, the sanctuary state filed a lawsuit in an attempt to thwart the effort.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Illinois is taking the Trump Administration to court for their unlawful and unconstitutional deployment of military troops to our state. Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/ILAttyGeneral?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ILAttyGeneral</a> Raoul for helping defend the rule of law.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovPritzker/status/1975212392511619370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
The War Department will deploy roughly 400 soldiers from Texas to Chicago and Portland as the feds face mounting threats from anti-ICE activists.
The latest attack on federal immigration authorities occurred on Saturday morning, when “officers were rammed by vehicles and boxed in by 10 cars” in Broadview, Illinois, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin <a href="https://x.com/TriciaOhio/status/1974524869892276682" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> on X.
<div id="attachment_908485" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-908485" class="wp-image-908485 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-2133331877.jpg" alt="EL PASO, TEXAS - APRIL 02: Texas National Guard soldiers stand on patrol near banks of the Rio Grande river on April 02, 2024 in El Paso, Texas. Texas continues awaiting a verdict on Senate Bill 4. Attorneys representing the state of Texas are scheduled to return to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans on April 3 to continue arguing for the constitutional basis of the bill. Senate Bill 4 allows state law enforcement officials to detain and arrest undocumented immigrants suspected of illegally crossing into the United States. Thus far, all prior attempts to put the Bill into effect have been blocked by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)" width="1024" height="681" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-2133331877.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-2133331877-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-2133331877-866x576.jpg 866w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-2133331877-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Brandon Bell/Getty Images</div>
The agents were trapped in and had to exit their car before they encountered one of the drivers who allegedly rammed them and determined that they were “armed with a semi-automatic weapon,” forcing the feds to “fire defensive shots at an unarmed U.S. citizen,” according to McLaughlin.
The armed alleged attacker, who was later <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/10/04/update-dhs-deploys-special-operations-after-multiple-violent-attacks-federal-law" target="_blank" rel="noopener">identified</a> as Marimar Martinez, was the subject of a federal law enforcement intelligence bulletin that circulated last week after she was allegedly “doxing agents and posting online ‘Hey to all my gang let’s f*** those motherf****ers up, don’t let them take anyone.’”
Pritzker said “no officials from the federal government” contacted him “directly to discuss or coordinate” the deployment.
“It started with federal agents, it will soon include deploying federalized members of the Illinois National Guard against our wishes, and it will now involve sending in another state’s military troops,” he said.
<div id="attachment_973997" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-973997" class="wp-image-973997 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2233428543.jpg" alt="CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 02: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (L) listens as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker speaks to the press on September 02, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. They called the press conference to address President Donald Trump's threat to bring the National Guard and an influx of ICE agents into the city to help control crime." width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2233428543.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2233428543-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2233428543-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2233428543-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Scott Olson/Getty Images</div>
The Illinois governor also called on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to stop the effort in its tracks.
“I call on Governor Abbott to immediately withdraw any support for this decision and refuse to coordinate. There is no reason a President should send military troops into a sovereign state without their knowledge, consent, or cooperation,” Pritzker wrote.
“The brave men and women who serve in our national guards must not be used as political props. This is a moment where every American must speak up and help stop this madness,” he added.
<div id="attachment_957433" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-957433" class="wp-image-957433 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/GettyImages-2162463589.jpg" alt="MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 17: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks on stage on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party's presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18." width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/GettyImages-2162463589.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/GettyImages-2162463589-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/GettyImages-2162463589-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/08/GettyImages-2162463589-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Credit: Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images.</div>
But Abbott <a href="https://x.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1975027635295007073" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> he’s not going to back down.
“I fully authorized the President to call up 400 members of the Texas National Guard to ensure safety for federal officials. You can either fully enforce protection for federal employees or get out of the way and let Texas Guard do it,” Abbott wrote on X.
“No Guard can match the training, skill, and expertise of the Texas National Guard. They defend our country with pride. America must also know that Texas still has thousands of National Guard assisting with the Border security,” he said.
The Trump administration commenced “Operation Midway Blitz” in an effort to nab illegal immigrants roaming the sanctuary state on September 8, resulting in more than 1,000 arrests.
With that, anti-ICE protesters have gathered outside an agency facility in Broadview, where demonstrators have tried to block agents from driving in and out of the facility.
State and local police in riot gear <a href="https://x.com/Garrett_FoxNews/status/1974148610372567329" target="_blank" rel="noopener">responded</a> to the protests on Friday, while snipers were <a href="https://x.com/bennyjohnson/status/1974165474830397860" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stationed</a> on the roof of the ICE facility.

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Trump To Send Texas National Guard Troops To Quell Anti-ICE Attacks In Chicago

Chicago

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

J.B. Pritzker

The State of Texas will strip more than 100 teachers of their certifications over their “reprehensible and inappropriate” social media posts about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Gov. Greg Abbott <a href="https://x.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1967686867689902503">said</a> on Tuesday.
The Lone Star State launched an investigation Friday, reporting educators that “have proliferated such vile content,” Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath wrote in a <a href="https://x.com/CameronSAbrams/status/1966616519862837444">letter</a> to superintendents. The state has already received roughly 180 complaints, <a href="https://x.com/CameronSAbrams/status/1967645860336111976">according</a> to The Texan.
“While the exercise of free speech is a fundamental right we are all blessed to share, it does not give carte blanche authority to celebrate or sow violence against those that share differing beliefs and perspectives,” the letter read.
<div id="attachment_972379" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-972379" class="wp-image-972379 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234173687-1-864x576.jpg" alt="OREM, UTAH - SEPTEMBER 10: Charlie Kirk throws hats to the crowd after arriving at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his &quot;American Comeback Tour&quot; when he was shot in the neck and killed." width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234173687-1-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234173687-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234173687-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234173687-1.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images</div>
Several incidents of Texas teachers making such comments have circulated online since Kirk’s assassination.
One Pflugerville ISD employee posted that she refused “to feel bad about the death of a Nazi,” according to a post shared by Republican State Rep. Hillary Hickland.
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Klein Independent School District (ISD) <a href="https://x.com/KleinISD/status/1966534736941031785">shared</a> that a “now former employee” made “unacceptable remarks” regarding Kirk’s “tragic death.”
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Republican Texas State Sen. Mayes Middleton called for the teachers to not only be fired, but to be placed on “do-not-hire registries.”
“Educators cheering murder must not only be fired, but also placed on do-not-hire registries and stripped of their certifications. There must be zero tolerance for this,” Middleton told The Daily Wire.
“Their behavior proves they are unworthy of ever being entrusted with educating students again. No half measures and no passing the trash — our children must be protected from these vile individuals. I will fight to ensure they are held fully accountable,” he added.
<div id="attachment_850589" style="width: 843px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-850589" class="wp-image-850589 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/12/GettyImages-2190506170-833x576.jpg" alt="" width="833" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/12/GettyImages-2190506170-833x576.jpg 833w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/12/GettyImages-2190506170-300x207.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/12/GettyImages-2190506170-768x531.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/12/GettyImages-2190506170-1536x1062.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/12/GettyImages-2190506170-2048x1416.jpg 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 833px) 100vw, 833px" />Charlie Kirk, president and founder of Turning Point USA, speaks during Turning Point’s annual AmericaFest 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 22, 2024. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)</div>
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charlie-kirk-leading-conservative-activist-and-father-dead-at-31?author=Tim+Rice&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Charlie+Kirk%2C+Leading+Conservative+Activist+And+Father%2C+Dead+At+31">The Turning Point USA founder</a> was shot dead on Wednesday while giving a speech at Utah Valley University. The alleged shooter, later identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, fired a single bullet that struck Kirk, 31, in the neck from the roof of a building on campus that was adjacent to a courtyard where the event was being held, according to authorities.
The suspected assassin was captured on Thursday after his father recognized him in photographs released by authorities and told him to turn himself in. Robinson also appeared to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/suspected-charlie-kirk-assassin-to-make-first-court-appearance-placed-on-special-watch">confess</a> on Discord that he had killed Kirk, writing, “Hey guys, I have bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday. im sorry for all of this.”

Over 100 Texas Teachers Suspended For ‘Reprehensible’ Social Media Posts About Charlie Kirk

Over 100 Texas Teachers Suspended For 'Reprehensible' Social Media Posts About Charlie Kirk's Assass

Charlie Kirk

In a move sparking national backlash, a Houston-based imam affiliated with the Nation of Islam <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15078883/Sharia-patrols-Texas-alcohol-pork-ban.html">launched a campaign</a> demanding Muslim-owned stores stop selling pork, alcohol, and gambling products—or face public protests. Imam F. Qasim ibn Ali Khan of Masjid At-Tawhid, speaking in viral videos circulating on TikTok and X, issued ultimatums to shop owners, warning that demonstrations will escalate unless “haram” items are purged from their inventory.
“We’re just getting started,” Khan told one store clerk. “In 30 days, we’re going city-wide.”
His message? Sharia compliance or public shaming. Khan&#8217;s demonstrations in front of local businesses have drawn comparisons to hardline “Sharia patrol” tactics seen in radicalized areas of Europe.
Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott didn’t mince words in response.
“I signed laws that BAN Sharia Law and Sharia Compounds in Texas,” he posted on X. “No business &amp; no individual should fear fools like this.”
Abbott urged Texans to report any attempts to impose Sharia compliance to law enforcement or the Department of Public Safety.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I signed laws that BAN Sharia Law and Sharia Compounds in Texas.
No business &amp; no individual should fear fools like this.
If this person, or ANYONE, attempts to impose Sharia compliance, report it to local law enforcement or the Texas Dept. of Public Safety. <a href="https://t.co/cVV2MJItLH">https://t.co/cVV2MJItLH</a>
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1965173662262448320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Critics warn the imam’s campaign is not only coercive but a potential flashpoint for creeping extremism. Videos show Khan confronting Muslim shopkeepers, insisting they’re violating Islamic law by selling forbidden products.
“We should love what Allah allows and hate what Allah hates,” he said while leading demonstrators through inner-city neighborhoods. “Little by little, one by one, we’re going to be visiting all the stores.”
Although no violence has been reported, the rhetoric is undeniable. Khan calls it da’wah—religious outreach—but the optics tell a different story. Armed with protest signs and camera crews, Khan accuses fellow Muslims of betraying their faith for profit, warning that the “best of the community” will only be realized through strict Islamic adherence.
Khan’s mosque, Masjid At-Tawhid, flies a Palestinian flag and employs private security personnel in uniforms that resemble local police. His red henna-dyed beard and firebrand style have become a visual marker of his strict Sharia-first ideology. While his protests remain within the bounds of free speech—for now—his message is unmistakable: Muslim-majority areas should adhere to Islamic principles, or face public pressure.
This comes amid broader concerns over Sharia-linked developments in Texas. Earlier this year, Abbott announced the state had halted construction on the so-called “EPIC City”—a proposed Muslim-only community near Dallas allegedly designed to operate under Sharia law.
“There is no construction taking place,” Abbott said, confirming multiple state and federal investigations into the project’s legality. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Attorney General Ken Paxton both raised constitutional concerns over religious discrimination and segregation.
Abbott connected the dots: “Texas takes matters like this seriously,” he wrote. “This is America. We don’t bend the law for imported ideologies.”
The rise of self-declared Islamic enforcers like Imam Khan—armed with a smartphone and a platform—signals a growing clash between religious radicalism and American law and culture. For now, Texans aren’t having it.
Neither is their governor.

Gov. Greg Abbott –  called a second special session

Sharia Law Comes Knocking In Texas. Abbott Slams Door Shut.

Islam

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(Reuters) -Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Friday signed into law a bill to redraw the state&#8217;s congressional maps at the behest of President Donald Trump in an effort to flip five U.S. House seats held by Democrats to Republicans.
The ratification came after the state&#8217;s legislature passed the measure last week amid a nationwide redistricting battle.
&#8220;Texas is now more red in the United States Congress,&#8221; Abbott said in a video post on social media, after signing the bill with a marker.
Republicans have acknowledged they believe winning more congressional seats in Texas will help the party maintain its slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in next year&#8217;s midterm elections. More states controlled by Republicans are considering similar action.
California and other states where Democrats hold power vow to counter such moves. The California legislature approved a redistricting plan last week aimed at giving Democrats five more congressional seats.
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_campaign=summer&amp;utm_content=editorialsummersale&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">End of Summer Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships</a>
The California plan must be approved by voters in November. The Texas plan does not need voter approval, but it has been challenged in court.
The Texas bill was delayed for two weeks after more than 50 Democratic state House members staged a walkout that denied Republicans the legislative quorum needed.
Democrats argued that the new Texas map violates federal law by diluting Hispanic and Black voting power and discriminating on the basis of race.
Texas Republicans who sponsored the bill said they redrew maps based on voting history, not race.
Most Americans believe redrawing congressional lines for the sake of maximizing political gain, known as gerrymandering, is bad for democracy, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found this week.
(Reporting By Andrew Hay; editing by Diane Craft)

U.S. HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. holds a press conference with Texas Governor Abbott, in Austin

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Signs Law To Secure New Congressional Maps

Redistricting

The Texas House approved a new congressional map on Wednesday that is expected to net Republicans five additional seats in the House of Representatives after the upcoming midterm elections.
The map, which passed with all 88 Republican House members voting in favor, caps a weeks-long saga in which dozens of Democratic lawmakers fled the state to prevent the state legislature from conducting business. The new map will head to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for a final signature.
Rogue Democrats returned to Texas earlier this week, ending their protest after collectively racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for purposely breaking quorum and leaving the state legislature unable to conduct business.
During their boycott of the legislature, the Democratic lawmakers rallied support for their cause from Democrats in other states. Several Democratic governors have voiced support for gerrymandering their state maps in retribution.
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On Monday, Texas Republicans mandated that Democrats who fled must receive passes to leave the House chamber. Each lawmaker would also be assigned an officer from the Texas Department of Public Safety to ensure that they returned to the chamber on time for each session.
A handful of Democratic lawmakers stayed overnight in the House chamber in protest of the new rules. State Rep. Nicole Collier received a call and encouragement from former Vice President Kamala Harris for spending the night on the chamber floor. Texas Democrats later posted a <a href="https://x.com/TexasHDC/status/1957949548845756809" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> of the call online.
“You really are inspiring so many people, and I just want you to know that you are among those who history will reveal to have been heroes of this moment,” Harris said. “So, you just stay strong and do what you are doing.”
Republican Rep. Brian Harrison criticized Democratic theatrics around the passage of the new map on Wednesday morning.
“These crocodile tears and bad, bad kabuki theater coming from the Democrats right now is just pathetic,” said Harrison in an <a href="https://x.com/FaulknerFocus/status/1958197591956500949" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a> on Fox News. “Quite frankly, my fourth grader&#8217;s production of ‘Shrek’ last year had better acting.”
“These Democrats are pretending they don&#8217;t like redrawing maps for partisan political purposes, but the reality is Democrat state after Democrat state has been doing this for decades,&#8221; he added. &#8220;The dirty little secret is they&#8217;re only objecting now because it&#8217;s Republican states that are finally doing it.&#8221;

Texas Capitol

All That For Nothing: Rogue Texas Dems Brought To Heel As New Congressional Map Passes

Texas Passes New Congressional Map To Give GOP An Edge In Midterms

U.S. House of Representatives

The Texas Democrat representatives who fled the Lone Star State to stop a mid-decade redistricting are returning, according to an announcement by the caucus. This will allow the state to conclude its drawn-out attempt to reshape the 2026 congressional map.
&#8220;We killed the corrupt special session, withstood unprecedented surveillance and intimidation, and rallied Democrats nationwide to join this existential fight for fair representation– reshaping the entire 2026 landscape,&#8221; said state Representative Gene Wu, who leads Democrats in the Texas House, according to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/18/politics/texas-california-redistricting-fight">CNN</a>.
&#8220;We&#8217;re returning to Texas more dangerous to Republicans&#8217; plans than when we left,&#8221; Wu continued. &#8220;Our return allows us to build the legal record necessary to defeat this racist map in court, take our message to communities across the state and country, and inspire legislators across the country how to fight these undemocratic redistricting schemes in their own statehouses.&#8221;
The Texas Democratic legislators chose to leave the state rather than voting in the special session that was called for the redistricting vote, which expired Friday. After it expired, Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) promptly called a second special session to finish the redistricting effort.
In a <a href="https://x.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1956382209876869610">statement</a> on X announcing the second special session, Abbott said, &#8220;There is critical work that is left undone. Texas will not back down from this fight. That&#8217;s why I am calling them back today to finish the job.&#8221;
The Texas House of Representatives convened at 12 p.m. CT Monday, which enabled the legislature to continue with the special session. The new congressional map could made official by as soon as the end of the week.
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The Texas lawmakers who fled the state have been hiding out in notoriously-gerrymandered <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/texas-dems-cant-win-redistricting-fight-so-they-bravely-turn-tail-and-flee-the-state">Illinois</a> since August 4 while facing threats of fines and arrest for neglecting their duties from the Texas governor.
Abbott threatened to arrest the lawmakers at the start of the quorum break. &#8220;Once they step back into the state, they will be arrested and brought back to the Capitol and we will be conducting business,&#8221; Abbott told Fox News host Laura Ingraham at the time.
Soon after that, Abbott <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/abbott-to-awol-texas-democrats-respect-voters-or-be-removed?author=Leif+Le+Mahieu&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Abbott+To+AWOL+Texas+Democrats%3A+Respect+Voters+Or+Be+Removed">revealed</a> plans to remove the representatives from office. Abbott said that the actions of the Democrats amounted to &#8220;an abandonment or forfeiture of an elected state office&#8221; and that Texas law empowered him to fill the vacancies.
On top of these threats by the state&#8217;s Republican governor, the AWOL Democrats were being slapped with a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ken-paxton-seeks-to-put-democrat-beto-orourke-behind-bars-over-fundraising-for-awol-dems?author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Ken+Paxton+Seeks+To+Put+Democrat+Beto+O%E2%80%99Rourke+%E2%80%98Behind+Bars%E2%80%99+Over+Fundraising+For+AWOL+Dems">$500-per-day fine</a> while they missed the special session, which also aimed at lowering property taxes, addressing state education benchmarks, and resolving issues that arose after the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-tours-texas-flood-zone-as-death-toll-reaches-121?author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Tours+Texas+Flood+Zone+As+Death+Toll+Reaches+121">July 4 floods</a> that rocked the state.
It is unclear what steps Governor Abbott will take against the representatives who fled the state as they return for the second special session.
The redistricting battle in Texas has since spilled over into blue states like New York and California, with Democratic state governors threatening to gerrymander their congressional districts to combat Texas&#8217; move.
California Governor Gavin Newsom notably responded to the controversy of Texas lawmakers fleeing the state by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/newsom-threatens-retaliation-says-texas-redistricting-will-trigger-new-california-election-maps">saying</a>, &#8220;[The Republicans] triggered this response and we&#8217;re not going to roll over and we&#8217;re going to fight fire with fire, but we&#8217;re going to do so not just punching with the weight of the fourth largest economy, the most populous state in our union.&#8221;
&#8220;We also will punch above our weight in terms of the impact of what we&#8217;re doing, and I think that should be absorbed by those in the Texas delegation,&#8221; Newsom continued. &#8220;Whatever they are doing will be neutered here in the state of California, and they will pay that price.&#8221;

2024 Republican National Convention: Day 3

Texas Dems Submit To Redistricting Vote After Two Weeks AWOL

California

Democrats

Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton said on Tuesday that he is seeking the arrest of Democrat Robert Francis &#8220;Beto&#8221; O&#8217;Rourke over O&#8217;Rourke&#8217;s alleged violation of a court order requiring him to stop fundraising for the AWOL Texas Democrats.
Paxton <a href="https://x.com/KenPaxtonTX/status/1955295153079586937">accused</a> O&#8217;Rourke of &#8220;blatantly&#8221; violating a temporary restraining order &#8220;by continuing to fundraise and pay for the personal expenses of runaway Democrat legislators.&#8221; Last week, Tarrant County, Texas, District Court Judge Megan Fahey <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/beto-orourke-blocked-financially-supporting-texas-democrats-fled-state-rcna224002">barred</a> O&#8217;Rourke and his political group, Powered by People, from funding the group of 50 Democrats who fled the state to stop a vote on a GOP-backed Congressional map.
Paxton alleges that O&#8217;Rourke violated the restraining order immediately after it was issued by telling a crowd of supporters that he would continue fundraising for the runaway Democrats. O&#8217;Rourke also told the crowd that Democrats should “f*** the rules” and “win whatever it takes,&#8221; calling on Democrat-led states to redraw Congressional maps to take seats away from Republicans, The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/f-the-rules-beto-goes-off-the-rails-says-dems-will-win-whatever-it-takes">reported</a>.
&#8220;There are no refs in this game, f*** the rules, we are going to win whatever it takes. We’re going to take this to him in every way that we can,&#8221; O&#8217;Rourke said.
In a press release, Paxton said that O&#8217;Rourke &#8220;is wrong on both counts.&#8221;
&#8220;There is a referee—the Honorable Megan Fahey—and there are rules—namely, that a person violating a temporary restraining order can be fined up to $500 and jailed for up to six months,&#8221; the Texas attorney general added. &#8220;Given Robert Francis&#8217;s vulgar disdain for the rule of law and immense personal wealth, imprisonment is absolutely necessary to persuade him to obey the lawful restraining order issued by the Tarrant County court.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BREAKING: I&#8217;m taking action to hold Robert Francis O&#8217;Rourke in contempt for violating a court order and scamming Texans.
Beto is about to find out that running your mouth and ignoring the rule of law has consequences in Texas.
It&#8217;s time to lock him up. <a href="https://t.co/JZO4cbBkt1">pic.twitter.com/JZO4cbBkt1</a>
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) <a href="https://twitter.com/KenPaxtonTX/status/1955295153079586937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
&#8220;Beto told me to &#8216;come and take,&#8217; so I did and beat him in court. Now, he still thinks he&#8217;s above the law, so I&#8217;m working to put him behind bars,&#8221; Paxton continued.
O&#8217;Rourke shot back at Paxton in a post on X, accusing the attorney general of &#8220;lying about me to try to silence us.&#8221;
&#8220;We alerted the Court that the AG&#8217;s office blatantly lied in its filing. We’re seeking maximum sanctions in response to his abuse of office,&#8221; O&#8217;Rourke added. &#8220;Taking the fight directly to this corrupt, lying thug.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
He&#8217;s lying about me to try to silence us.
Here’s the full clip. I mean every word.
We alerted the Court that the AG&#8217;s office blatantly lied in its filing. We’re seeking maximum sanctions in response to his abuse of office.
Taking the fight directly to this corrupt, lying thug. <a href="https://t.co/JAfKR3xyH3">https://t.co/JAfKR3xyH3</a> <a href="https://t.co/uQFCG3Jmsg">pic.twitter.com/uQFCG3Jmsg</a>
— Beto O&#8217;Rourke (@BetoORourke) <a href="https://twitter.com/BetoORourke/status/1955349238956585078?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
Paxton launched an <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/beto-orourke-led-group-under-investigation-over-potential-bribes-to-help-runaway-texas-dems">investigation</a> into O&#8217;Rourke&#8217;s group last week after it was reported that Powered by People was bankrolling the Texas Democrats who shirked their responsibilities in the state House and fled to Illinois to block a vote on the new Congressional map. The group of Democrats faces a daily $500 fine, along with living expenses in Illinois.
Powered by People <a href="https://poweredxpeople.org/what-we-do/">focuses</a> on organizing volunteers to help Democrats win elections in “competitive Texas battleground districts.” The leftist group says it is also “focused on creating long-term changes to the Texas electorate that will outlast any one candidate or campaign cycle.”
The Democratic legislators <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/post/texas-democrats-illinois-vow-stay-special-session-ends-despite-st-charles-bomb-threat-greg-abbotts-arrests/17504587/">remain</a> out of the state this week, defying last Friday&#8217;s deadline that Speaker of the Texas House Dustin Burrows put in place for their return. The Democrats vowed to stay out of Texas past the 30-day special session, but Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/abbott-vows-to-hold-special-sessions-in-texas-for-years-until-delinquent-dems-return">said</a> on Sunday that he would continue to call special sessions.
“I’m authorized to call a special session every 30 days. It lasts 30 days. And as soon as this one is over, I’m gonna call another one, then another one, then another one, then another one,” the governor said.
“If they show back up in the state of Texas, they will be arrested and taken to the capitol. If they want to evade that arrest, they’re gonna have to stay outside of the state of Texas for literally years,” he added. “They might as well just start voting in California or voting in Illinois, wherever they may be.”

Ken Paxton, Beto O’Rourke

Ken Paxton Seeks To Put Democrat Beto O’Rourke ‘Behind Bars’ Over Fundraising For AWOL Dems

Beto O'Rourke

Courts

Jail

Ken Paxton

Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott said that he is open to using &#8220;every tool&#8221; to go after the 50+ Democratic state representatives who fled the state to block a vote on a new GOP-backed congressional map.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/texas-gov-greg-abbott-moves-amp-pressure-democrats-fled-redistricting-rcna223581?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=Click%20here&amp;utm_campaign=Gov%20Abbott%20push%208.8.25">NBC News</a> that aired on Friday morning, Abbott said that state officials are preparing to arrest the Democrats who ran off to Illinois earlier this week. The governor would not say if the FBI should get involved, but added, &#8220;All I can say is we&#8217;re going to use every tool that we can to make sure that these runaway Democrats are going to be held accountable.&#8221;
Abbott told NBC News that it doesn&#8217;t matter how long Texas Democrats shirk their responsibilities in the legislature, saying that he will push the congressional map through, even if it takes years. The new map would likely <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/texas-republicans-drop-new-congressional-map-that-would-flip-5-democrat-seats-red?author=Nathan+Gay&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Texas+Republicans+Drop+New+Congressional+Map+That+Would+Flip+5+Democrat+Seats+Red">boost</a> the GOP&#8217;s hold on the Texas delegation by five seats ahead of the 2026 midterms.
&#8220;Democrats act like they&#8217;re not going to come back as long as this is an issue. That means they&#8217;re not going to come back until like 2027 or 2028, because I&#8217;m going to call special session after special session after special session with the same agenda items on there,&#8221; he said.
Abbott defended the push for the new congressional map in his state, saying that &#8220;both the law and facts have changed since we drew the lines back in 2021.&#8221;
&#8220;A lot of people who voted Republican, who voted for Donald Trump, were trapped into Democrat districts,&#8221; the governor said. &#8220;And so when you look at the facts, when you look at the law, there is every reason to go ahead and draw the lines so that we can assure that every voter is going to have the opportunity to vote for their candidate of choice.&#8221;
The new map would give Republicans nearly 80% of the state&#8217;s congressional districts. The move from Texas Republicans has resulted in some Democratic leaders threatening to take seats away from Republicans through redistricting in other states. California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom said earlier this week that his state would &#8220;<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/newsom-threatens-retaliation-says-texas-redistricting-will-trigger-new-california-election-maps?author=Leif+Le+Mahieu&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Newsom+Threatens+Retaliation%2C+Says+Texas+Redistricting+Will+%E2%80%98Trigger%E2%80%99+New+California+Election+Maps">punch back</a>&#8221; if Texas approves its new congressional map.
Texas can&#8217;t approve the Republican-favored map, however, until enough Democrats show up to reach a quorum.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said on Thursday that the FBI agreed to assist Texas in tracking down the AWOL Democrats after he sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/fbi-assisting-texas-in-hunt-for-runaway-democrats-gop-senator-says">reported</a>. An FBI spokesperson declined to comment when The Daily Wire reached out to the bureau.
President Donald Trump said earlier this week that the FBI &#8220;may have to&#8221; get involved in finding the Texas Democrats. Republicans pushing for the FBI to get involved sparked outrage among Democratic leaders in Washington.
&#8220;Shouldn&#8217;t the FBI be tracking down terrorists, drug traffickers and child predators? The Trump administration continues to weaponize law enforcement to target political adversaries,&#8221; House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) <a href="https://x.com/hakeemjeffries/status/1953468425273024976">said</a>.
&#8220;This is authoritarianism. Plain and simple,&#8221; <a href="https://x.com/SenSchumer/status/1953571261956698298">added</a> Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). &#8220;Texas Democrats are standing up for Democracy, and Republicans want to send in the federal government to round them up? That is not American.&#8221;
Texas Republicans are also going after a group <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/beto-orourkes-pac-bankrolls-texas-democrats-escape-from-redistricting-standoff?author=Sam+Korkus&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Beto+O%E2%80%99Rourke%E2%80%99s+PAC+Bankrolls+Texas+Democrats%E2%80%99+Escape+from+Redistricting+Standoff">bankrolling</a> Texas Democrats as they block the vote. On Wednesday, Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/beto-orourke-led-group-under-investigation-over-potential-bribes-to-help-runaway-texas-dems">launched</a> an investigation into Powered by People, a Left-wing political organization led by Texas Democrat Beto O&#8217;Rourke. Paxton said the group might have violated laws on bribery, campaign finance, and abuse of office.

Abbott Vows To Use ‘Every Tool’ To Round Up And Arrest Runaway Texas Dems

Abbott Vows To Use 'Every Tool' To Round Up And Arrest Runaway Texas Dems

Congress

Republicans

Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation Wednesday into a group led by Democrat Beto O’Rourke that is bankrolling dozens of Democrats who fled the Lone Star State to block a vote on new congressional maps.
Paxton said that O’Rourke’s group, Powered by People, might have violated laws on bribery, campaign finance, and abuse of office. Powered by People is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/beto-orourkes-pac-bankrolls-texas-democrats-escape-from-redistricting-standoff?author=Sam+Korkus&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Beto+O%E2%80%99Rourke%E2%80%99s+PAC+Bankrolls+Texas+Democrats%E2%80%99+Escape+from+Redistricting+Standoff">funding</a> a group of 50 state Democrats who are each facing a $500 daily fine after fleeing to Illinois, The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/beto-orourkes-pac-bankrolls-texas-democrats-escape-from-redistricting-standoff?author=Sam+Korkus&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Beto+O%E2%80%99Rourke%E2%80%99s+PAC+Bankrolls+Texas+Democrats%E2%80%99+Escape+from+Redistricting+Standoff">reported</a>.
“Any Democrat coward breaking the law by taking a Beto Bribe will be held accountable,” Paxton said. “Texas cannot be bought. I look forward to thoroughly reviewing all of the documents and communications obtained throughout this investigation. These jet-setting runaways have already lost public trust by abandoning our state, and Texans deserve to know if they received illegal bribes to do it.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BREAKING: I just launched an investigation into Beto O&#8217;Rourke&#8217;s radical group for unlawfully funding runaway Democrats.
Any Democrat coward breaking the law by taking a Beto Bribe will be held accountable. <a href="https://t.co/PV2IdwNOBd">pic.twitter.com/PV2IdwNOBd</a>
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) <a href="https://twitter.com/KenPaxtonTX/status/1953188955807273440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
O’Rourke — who ran failed presidential, senatorial, and gubernatorial campaigns — shot back at Paxton’s investigation, <a href="https://x.com/BetoORourke/status/1953228139271995756">writing</a> on X, “The guy impeached for bribery is going after the folks trying to stop the theft of five Congressional seats.”
Paxton was impeached by the Texas state House in 2023 on bribery charges, but he was later acquitted by the state Senate. The Texas attorney general is now challenging incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn in the 2026 U.S. Senate race.
Powered by People <a href="https://poweredxpeople.org/what-we-do/">focuses</a> on organizing volunteers to help Democrats win elections in “competitive Texas battleground districts.” The leftist group says it is also “focused on creating long-term changes to the Texas electorate that will outlast any one candidate or campaign cycle.”
Speaker of the Texas House Dustin Burrows set a Friday deadline for the Democrats to return to the legislature, but the 50 representatives are hoping to keep their stunt going and are pleading for donations as they remain in Illinois, the Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-texas-democrats-walkout-trump-payments-59966a83df7cbaa43ee7e410eed2fc08">reported</a>. The House Democratic Caucus set up a website for donations of up to $2,500.
“We’re getting a lot of small-dollar donations, and that’s going to be used to help keep this thing going,” said Democrat House Caucus Chair Gene Wu.
“We’ve already been inundated with donations from across the state of Texas, from across the country, just regular people donating $5, $10, $15,” Democratic state Rep. James Talarico said. “And that’s appropriate, because this fight is for the people and it should be funded by the people. We don’t have billionaires who are funding this operation.”
Earlier this week, Paxton <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/texas-ag-asks-judge-to-officially-remove-awol-dems-from-seats">said</a> he would seek judicial orders to remove the AWOL Democrats from office over their “refusal to perform legislative duties.” Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott has also pushed to remove Wu from office over the state representative’s refusal to show up for the redistricting vote and reach quorum.
Sen. Cornyn has also asked the FBI to help round up the Democrats and bring them back to the state. President Donald Trump said earlier this week that the bureau “may have to” get involved.

Beto O’Rourke

Beto O’Rourke-Led Group Under Investigation Over Potential Bribes To Help Runaway Texas Dems

General

Illinois

Investigation

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