Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has asked a state judge to jail Democrat Beto O’Rourke for allegedly defying a court order that barred him from financially supporting Texas Democratic lawmakers hiding out of state to block new congressional maps.
In a new lawsuit, Paxton accuses O’Rourke and his group Powered by People of misleading donors and using funds to illegally assist the fugitive Democrats. The lawmakers fled Texas to deny the House a quorum and stall passage of a GOP-backed redistricting plan expected to give Republicans up to five more U.S. House seats.
Judge Issues Injunction
Tarrant County District Judge Megan Fahey quickly granted Paxton’s request for a temporary injunction prohibiting O’Rourke and his group from raising money to fund the Democrats’ out-of-state stay or covering their expenses.
Paxton now claims O’Rourke violated that order at a Fort Worth rally Saturday when he told supporters: “There are no refs in this game, f**k the rules.”
While O’Rourke’s team disputes whether the comment referred to financially aiding the Democrats, Paxton points to social media posts in which O’Rourke said he is “still raising and rallying to stop the steal of 5 congressional seats in Texas” and included a donation link.
Paxton: “Lock Him Up”
“Beto is about to find out that running your mouth and ignoring the rule of law has consequences in Texas,” Paxton posted on X. “It’s time to lock him up.”
The attorney general has asked Judge Fahey to imprison O’Rourke for the duration of the lawsuit and fine him $500 for each violation of the order.
O’Rourke Pushes Back
O’Rourke’s lawyers accuse Paxton of taking his remarks “entirely out of context” and misrepresenting the injunction, arguing it only bars fundraising for “non-political purposes” and doesn’t prohibit fundraising altogether.
High-Stakes Political Showdown
The clash is part of a larger battle that could reshape control of the U.S. House. Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott have already asked the Texas Supreme Court to expel the absconding Democrats, while GOP leaders are also pursuing legal action in Illinois to force them home.
Many Democrats have complained about the cost of living out of state in places like Chicago and Boston, citing expenses for rent, hotels, and food. This week, some hinted they may soon return, saying they’ve made their point and have little else to gain by staying away.
