Texas Senator John Cornyn announced Thursday that FBI Director Kash Patel has agreed to help locate Texas House Democrats who left the state earlier this week in protest of Republican-led redistricting efforts.
The move followed a formal request from Cornyn, who sent a letter to federal authorities on Tuesday urging immediate involvement.
Cornyn Praises Prompt Federal Response
“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,” Cornyn said in a statement released to the press. “We cannot allow these rogue legislators to avoid their constitutional responsibilities.”
Cornyn also reiterated his appreciation during a Thursday appearance on The Mark Davis Show, noting, “Just to get to the bottom of it, I asked Kash to look into it and he responded promptly. I’m grateful to him.”
Despite Cornyn’s statements, the FBI has officially declined to comment on any investigation or involvement in the matter.
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Texas Governor Orders Arrests of Absent Lawmakers
Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to locate and detain the absent legislators. According to Abbott, the directive will remain in place “until they are accounted for and brought back” to the state Capitol in Austin.
The Texas House Democrats left the state to deny the quorum needed to pass controversial redistricting legislation. Their departure has reignited national debates about state sovereignty, federal intervention, and the limits of political protest.
Trump Signals Support for FBI Action
Former President Donald Trump also weighed in, suggesting that federal authorities should get involved. Speaking to media, Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce earlier this week, Trump said, “You can’t just sit it out. You have to go back. You have to fight it out. That’s what elections are all about.”
Legal and Constitutional Debate Continues
While Cornyn and Abbott have framed the Democrats’ flight as a dereliction of constitutional duty, legal scholars are divided over the scope of federal involvement in state legislative matters. Critics warn that federal pursuit of state lawmakers may overstep constitutional bounds, while supporters argue that such action is necessary to uphold democratic procedures.
The issue continues to spark widespread attention as it touches on the delicate balance between protest, governance, and the law.
