GOP’s Cornyn Says Patel Agreed To Allow FBI Arrest AWOL Texas Dems
On Thursday, the FBI consented to aid in the capture of Texas Democrats who absconded from the state to prevent the Texas House from achieving a quorum and carrying out legislative activities, as stated by a prominent U.S. senator from the Lone Star state.
Over 50 Democratic lawmakers departed Texas on Sunday, with many heading to Chicago, to obstruct a planned vote on redistricting and effectively halt all proceedings during the special legislative session. Their exit also aimed to evade possible arrest by state law enforcement.
U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, on Tuesday urged FBI Director Kash Patel to have the FBI track down House Democrats outside the state and detain them, according to reports.
“I am pleased to announce that Director Kash Patel has granted my request for the FBI to assist state and local law enforcement in locating the runaway Texas House Democrats,” Cornyn stated.
“I express my gratitude to President Trump and Director Patel for their support and prompt action regarding my appeal for the federal government to hold these alleged lawmakers accountable for abandoning Texas. We cannot permit these rogue legislators to evade their constitutional duties,” he added.
Meanwhile, during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, President Trump was questioned about Cornyn’s appeal to the FBI.
“Well, they may have to,” he remarked regarding the FBI’s potential assistance in detaining the absent Texas Democrats. “I know they want them back. The Governor of Texas is insisting they return. Therefore, many individuals are demanding their return. You cannot simply sit it out. You must go back. You must engage in the fight. That is the essence of elections.”
However, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), who is contesting Cornyn in a primary next year, did not regard the FBI’s involvement as necessary. “This is a state matter. I am uncertain what the FBI would have to do with this – nothing. This is entirely a state issue,” he commented on a podcast.
Cornyn responded by stating that “the FBI possesses resources to assist state law enforcement when individuals cross state lines, particularly to evade testifying or escaping a crime scene.”
“In particular, I am worried that legislators who have solicited or accepted funds to facilitate their evasion of legislative responsibilities may be committing bribery or other forms of public corruption,” he continued.
On Monday, House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, issued civil arrest warrants for the lawmakers who were absent, and by Tuesday, only eight Democrats had returned to the Capitol. Governor Greg Abbott mandated that the remaining members return to Austin by Monday or risk arrest and potential removal from their positions. He directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to apprehend them upon their reentry into the state and instructed the Texas Rangers to investigate possible bribery allegations.
Abbott also submitted an emergency petition to the Texas Supreme Court seeking the ousting of House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston.
Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker remarked on Wednesday that the FBI would be “unwelcome” in his state if they attempted to pursue Texas lawmakers who had fled there to obstruct a redistricting vote, as reported by Fox News.
In a discussion with News Not Noise host Jessica Yellin, Governor Pritzker contended that the Texas lawmakers had not breached any federal laws, and therefore, the FBI lacked the authority to intervene.
“They are merely seeking attention. There is absolutely no federal law relevant to this matter. None whatsoever,” Pritzker stated during the interview on Wednesday. “They may claim that they are dispatching the FBI. FBI agents might arrive to, I don’t know, create a spectacle.
“However, the reality is that our local law enforcement safeguards everyone in the state of Illinois. Our state troopers ensure the safety of all individuals in Illinois, including those who are present here. Thus, whether it involves federal agents coming to Illinois or Texas state rangers, if you have not violated federal law, you are essentially unwelcome, and there is no way that our state legislators here, Texas state legislators, would be…