Texas Governor Orders Arrest of Democratic Lawmakers Who Left State

The Republican House speaker said that he would sign civil arrest warrants to track the lawmakers down amid a fight over redistricting.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to the media at a press conference in Hunt, Texas, on July 8, 2025. Sergio Flores/Reuters

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the arrest of Democratic lawmakers who left the state amid a vote on congressional districts.

“Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty and are holding flood relief and property tax cuts hostage,” Abbott said in a post to social media on Aug. 4.