Texas Democrats who fled the state are now facing legal consequences—but Beto O’Rourke says they’re patriots fighting to stop a Republican “power grab” and preserve democracy.
Key Facts:
- Beto O’Rourke publicly defended the Texas Democrats who fled the state to block a redistricting vote, calling their actions “the highest form of public service.”
- He claimed they are standing between democracy and authoritarianism fueled by Donald Trump, Governor Greg Abbott, and AG Ken Paxton.
- O’Rourke’s group, Powered by People, is funding the lawmakers’ travel, food, and legal expenses.
- Attorney General Paxton says the fleeing lawmakers are derelict in their duty and could face removal if they don’t return by Friday.
- Governor Abbott is already suing one of the lawmakers, Rep. Gene Wu, for violating the Texas Constitution by refusing to return.
The Rest of The Story:
During a televised interview, Beto O’Rourke strongly defended the roughly 50 Texas Democrat lawmakers who fled to New York and Illinois to avoid voting on a redistricting bill. He framed their absence not as dereliction, but as a heroic stand against what he called a “consolidation of authoritarian power.”
“They’re trying to stop the consolidation of authoritarian power in America,” O’Rourke said. “Trump and Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton… are trying to steal these five seats in Texas. Without them, Trump’s going to lose a majority in the House of Representatives.”
O’Rourke’s group, Powered by People (PBP), is actively fundraising and paying for the Democrats’ travel, lodging, and legal defense. He encouraged Americans to contribute, telling viewers to text “FIGHT” to 20377 to support the lawmakers’ efforts.
Both PBP and the Soros-backed Texas Majority PAC are helping fund the effort. Their combined resources are reportedly covering fines and logistics as the lawmakers face legal consequences. Critics point to a 2023 Texas law that bans using political contributions to pay daily fines—currently \$500 per day—for missing legislative session.
While Republicans accuse the lawmakers of violating the law, the Texas House Democratic Caucus insists, “Every dime of expense for this effort is being paid for lawfully.”
Commentary:
Beto’s response shouldn’t surprise anyone. This is the same political activist who has made a name for himself by running interference for progressive causes, no matter the cost or legality. Now, he’s calling the deliberate dereliction of duty by Texas lawmakers “public service” and asking Americans to foot the bill for it.
And let’s be honest—this isn’t just about redistricting. It’s about Democrats using chaos and delay to avoid political consequences while their donors and political groups handle the logistics and legal cleanup. If Republicans ever tried this tactic, there would be media meltdowns and calls for federal investigations.
The fact that both George Soros and Beto O’Rourke are funding this stunt tells you all you need to know. This is organized political warfare masquerading as civil disobedience. It’s less about “saving democracy” and more about holding power at all costs.
Texas law clearly bans using political contributions to pay legislative fines, yet that’s exactly what’s being alleged here. If any laws have been broken, the state should not hesitate to prosecute everyone involved—from the lawmakers who fled, to the operatives who funded them.
Governor Abbott and AG Paxton are right to press this issue. Letting lawmakers abandon their posts without consequence sets a dangerous precedent. If they can skip work, get paid, and get protected by out-of-state donors, what’s stopping them next time?
And Democrats love to talk about “norms” and “democracy”—until they don’t get their way. Then, all bets are off. They flee, fundraise, and frame themselves as heroes while ignoring their responsibilities to the voters who elected them.
If Texas is serious about restoring rule of law, it must follow through with removal proceedings, legal challenges, and criminal investigations if necessary. Otherwise, this kind of political theater will become the norm.
The Bottom Line:
Beto O’Rourke has stepped into the spotlight to defend Texas Democrats who fled the state, calling their actions noble and necessary. But behind the lofty rhetoric lies a coordinated, well-funded campaign to stall the legislative process. Texans deserve lawmakers who show up, not ones who run away with donor dollars.
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