Texas Governor Plans to REMOVE FROM OFFICE Dem Lawmakers Who ‘Forfeited Their Seats’

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a stern warning to Democrat lawmakers who fled the state to block a redistricting vote. The Governor isn’t just threatening arrest—he’s now signaling that those who refuse to return and perform their duties could be permanently removed from office. His message is clear: abandoning your post to sabotage the legislative process won’t go unanswered.

The redistricting legislation at the heart of this standoff would significantly reshape congressional boundaries in Texas. Among the biggest changes, the new map is expected to add up to five Republican-leaning seats to the U.S. House of Representatives. That alone has made the Democrats desperate to stop the bill, particularly since the changes could push Rep. Jasmine Crockett out of her current district.

Abbott, along with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, is invoking legal grounds to not only arrest the Democrats but to pursue their removal through the courts. Citing AG Opinion KP-0382, Abbott argues that these lawmakers may have effectively forfeited their offices by intentionally breaking quorum. Under Texas law, such abandonment can trigger a court-led process to vacate their seats, opening the door for replacements.

In a statement released over the weekend, Abbott accused the Democrats of premeditated dereliction of duty. He emphasized that serving in the Legislature is a constitutional responsibility, not an optional activity. These lawmakers weren’t gone for health reasons or family emergencies—they left to prevent votes from happening at all, a move Abbott calls both cowardly and unconstitutional.

The Governor also warned that felony charges could be considered. Some Democrats have been raising money to pay off fines they expect to incur for skipping legislative sessions. But Abbott claims that soliciting or accepting such funds for the purpose of derailing legislative duties may cross into bribery territory under Texas law. He said he’s ready to use his extradition powers if any crimes are committed across state lines.

As Abbott prepares to take action, the clock is ticking. The Texas House is scheduled to reconvene today at 3 p.m. Only a few Democrats need to return to restore quorum, which would allow the vote on redistricting to proceed. The pressure is intense—and Abbott has made it clear he will not back down.

Texas Democrats have tried to fight back rhetorically. Rep. Elizabeth Campos called Abbott’s threats “ridiculous,” while Rep. Vikki Goodwin posted from New York that she’s willing to risk arrest, fines, or even expulsion. But critics were quick to point out the irony—she’s accusing Republicans of “rigging elections” while hiding out in another state.

This isn’t the first time Texas Democrats have pulled this kind of political stunt. They walked out in 2003 to try to block earlier redistricting plans, and again in 2021 over new election laws. In both cases, they managed only to delay the inevitable. The legislation passed anyway, and their political theater yielded little beyond headlines and social media clips.

Attorney General Paxton, appearing on multiple platforms including Benny Johnson’s show, made it clear that arrest alone won’t guarantee the Democrats return to the Capitol. But he also pointed out the obvious—they can’t hide out forever. Living in exile to avoid a legislative vote isn’t sustainable, and both he and Abbott are prepared to bring consequences if these lawmakers don’t face reality.

The dynamic remains fluid. It’s possible that a few Democrats might cave under pressure and return for today’s vote to avoid being expelled. If that happens, the Republicans will regain the numbers needed to proceed—and the redistricting plan will move forward just as it has in past battles.

No matter how long it takes, Abbott seems determined to ensure that skipping out on legislative duties will no longer be a viable strategy. He’s sending a loud and unmistakable message: if you’re elected to serve the people of Texas, then do your job—or lose it.