The FBI will assist Texas authorities in locating Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to derail a Republican-led redistricting plan, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) announced Thursday.
Cornyn said the federal agency agreed to his request to help find more than 50 Democrats from the Texas House who left earlier this month, denying the chamber a quorum needed to conduct business.
“I am proud to announce that Director Kash Patel has approved my request for the FBI to assist state and local law enforcement in locating runaway Texas House Democrats,” Cornyn said. “I thank President Trump and Director Patel for supporting and swiftly acting on my call for the federal government to hold these supposed lawmakers accountable for fleeing Texas. We cannot allow these rogue legislators to avoid their constitutional responsibilities.”
According to Cornyn’s office, the request was made in a letter to Patel on Tuesday, citing concerns that the legislators may have committed bribery or other public corruption offenses by soliciting or accepting funds to avoid their duties.
The letter argued that federal help was necessary because the FBI has tools to assist state law enforcement when individuals cross state lines to evade legal obligations.
The Democrats’ exodus began Sunday, with many traveling to Chicago, IL. Their absence prevents the 150-member Texas House from reaching the 100-member quorum required to vote on legislation.
Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) had called a special session to advance a congressional redistricting plan that could add five new Republican-leaning House seats before the 2026 midterms. Abbott has ordered the missing lawmakers to return by Monday or face arrest. He also filed an emergency petition with the Texas Supreme Court seeking the removal of House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Gene Wu (D-TX), whom he described as a “ringleader” of the walkout.
House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-TX) signed civil arrest warrants for the absent Democrats on Monday. Abbott directed Texas Department of Public Safety officers to arrest them once back in Texas and instructed the Texas Rangers to investigate potential bribery charges.
In a statement Thursday, Abbott said, “Texas DPS and the FBI are tracking down the derelict Democrats. They will be taken directly to the Texas Capitol. Those who received benefits for skipping a vote face removal from office and potential bribery charges. In Texas, there are consequences for your actions.”
President Donald Trump also weighed in at a White House news conference. Asked about the FBI’s role, he said, “Well, they may have to. I know they want them back. The Governor of Texas is demanding they come back. So, a lot of people are demanding they come back. You can’t just sit it out. You have to go back. You have to fight it. That’s what elections are about.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX), who is challenging Cornyn for his Senate seat, initially downplayed the FBI’s role.
On a podcast Tuesday, Paxton said, “This is a state issue. I don’t know what the FBI would have to do with this – nothing. This is a purely state issue.” He later issued statements pledging “aggressive legal action” against any lawmaker who fails to return by the Speaker’s deadline, including seeking court rulings to declare their seats vacant.
The Texas Supreme Court has ordered Wu to respond to Abbott’s petition by Friday. The court has not dismissed the case, and Abbott insists he has the authority under the Texas Constitution to seek the removal of absent lawmakers.