Texas AG Ken Paxton Threatens to Arrest Democrat Lawmakers If They Flee State to Block Trump-Backed Redistricting Plan Aimed at Gaining 5 More GOP House Seats

Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a stark warning to Democrat lawmakers: show up to work or face arrest.

The move comes as Democrats threaten to flee the Lone Star State in a desperate attempt to block a redistricting plan backed by President Donald Trump — one that could secure Republicans up to five additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

President Trump announced the push Tuesday, stating, “There could be some other states we’re going to get another three, or four, or five in addition. Texas would be the biggest one… Just a simple redrawing we pick up five seats.”

The push is already receiving strong backing from Gov. Greg Abbott and national GOP leadership, with reports from POLITICO confirming that even the White House and Department of Justice are supporting the effort. A special legislative session is set to kick off next Monday in Austin to move the plan forward.

But the Democrats, once again, are playing dirty.

Instead of showing up to do the job Texans elected them to do, Democrats are reportedly plotting to flee the state, just like they infamously did in 2021, in a bid to deny quorum and stall the redistricting vote. And this time, they’re being cheered on by national party heavyweights.

According to Quorum Report, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, disgraced former Attorney General Eric Holder, and DNC Chair Jaime Harrison addressed the Texas Democrat caucus this week, urging them to obstruct Trump’s redistricting push.

“If Democrats ignore their duty to their constituents by breaking quorum, they should be found and arrested no matter where they go,” Paxton wrote on X.

“The people of Texas elected them to do a job, not run away and hide like cowards. Lawmakers must answer the special session call and pass the important priorities that the Governor has put forward.

“My office stands ready to assist local, state, and federal authorities in hunting down and compelling the attendance of anyone who abandons their office and their constituents for cheap political theater,” he concluded.

If Democrats ignore their duty to their constituents by breaking quorum, they should be found and arrested no matter where they go. The people of Texas elected them to do a job, not run away and hide like cowards. Lawmakers must answer the special session call and pass the… https://t.co/sxLvZCIOB1

— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) July 15, 2025