Texas Democrats Flee State in Redistricting Battle
Dozens of Democratic Texas legislators left the state this week in a dramatic attempt to block a Republican-led vote on congressional redistricting maps. The lawmakers scattered across the country, with some landing in Chicago, where they were welcomed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, while others headed to Boston and Albany. Their exodus was designed to break quorum (Texas house rules require 100 members to be present for official business to be conducted, and Republicans hold 88 seats) and to prevent a vote on new district maps that could see five blue House districts flip to red in the 2026 mid-term election, potentially giving Republicans a more comfortable majority in Washington.
Governor Greg Abbott responded with over 50 civil arrest warrants, $500/day fines, felony bribery charges if the fines are paid by donations, and possible removal from office.
The Texas Attorney General moved to oust 13 Democrats from the Legislature using a legal instrument called a writ of quo warranto, claiming they forfeited their offices by abandonment. Abbott criticized the Democrats for “holding hostage critical legislation to aid flood victims and advance property tax relief,” while the FBI has agreed to cooperate with Texas police to locate the missing lawmakers.
Texas is not unique in redrawing congressional maps to increase the majority party’s representation in Congress. Multiple states do it, but unlike Massachusetts and Illinois (among others who have convoluted districts to insure Democratic Party advantage), Texas is predominantly Republican. If the theatrics on the part of Texas Democrats were coming from a principled stance against gerrymandered maps, they would object to unfair maps in all states. It seems to be simple, petty politics, and moves taken on both sides of the aisle will in all probability have unintended consequences for both.
Trump Administration Launches Investigations into Former Administration Officials
The legal tables are turning on several key figures from the Biden administration's prosecutorial efforts against President Trump. Jack Smith, the former special counsel who led two unsuccessful criminal investigations into Trump, is now under investigation by the Office of Special Counsel for allegedly violating the Hatch Act by engaging in political activity while serving in office.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi has reportedly authorized a federal grand jury investigation into potential criminal charges against former Obama officials involved in the Trump-Russia collusion investigation, including John Brennan, James Clapper, and James Comey. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard previously alleged that Obama and his national security team “manufactured a years-long coup against Donald Trump.”
Additionally, Senator Adam Schiff, who led Trump's first impeachment effort, is now under criminal investigation for alleged mortgage fraud.
More News
🇷🇺 Putin to Meet with Trump: Meetings between the U.S., NATO countries, and Ukraine this weekend have wrapped up in anticipation of a meeting in Alaska next week between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the first face-to-face between U.S. and Russian presidents since 2021. President Putin’s offer came just before the deadline President Trump had set for him to come to terms for a ceasefire in Ukraine or else face economic sanctions. Skeptics view this move as a means to delay these sanctions, while others hold out hope for a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. The meeting in Alaska is to be potentially followed by a three-way meeting with the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine.
💵 IRS Shakeup: Trump removed the head of the IRS, Billy Long, a former auctioneer from Missouri, just two months after his confirmation, and tapped Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to temporarily run the agency. Long was the sixth IRS commissioner to serve in 2025 alone. Long will be departing to take on the position of ambassador to Iceland.
🇮🇱 Israeli Gaza Takeover Plan: In an effort to root out Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's security cabinet approved a proposal to take over Gaza City as the first phase of potentially occupying the entire Gaza Strip. The IDF believes the operation will take about six months to complete and will be relocating civilians located in Gaza City.
🕊️ Azerbaijan/Armenian Peace Deal: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have signed a U.S.-brokered peace and economic agreement at the White House, potentially ending a conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnically Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan, which reaches back decades.
⛪️ Shooting at a Seattle Church: Seattle police are searching for suspects in a shooting outside Pursuit Church in Seattle that killed 28-year-old Lebron Givaun, who was shot as he arrived for a church BBQ with his family. Approximately 30 rounds were fired. Givaun had recently married and converted to Christianity just two months before his death, and authorities are investigating whether his past connections to street rap and previous lifestyle may have motivated the attack. The Pursuit Church is noteworthy in Seattle for its stance on traditional morality and gender roles, putting it in the crosshairs of the mayor and city officials. In May, the non-denominational, Spirit-filled congregation hosted a peaceful religious rally that was disrupted by violent trans- and women’s-rights protesters, which resulted in 23 arrests. Though violence was entirely one sided, the Seattle mayor blamed the church’s mere presence as the provocation for the violence.
🪖 Drug Cartels Face Military Force: President Trump signed a directive to the Pentagon to use military force against Latin American drug cartels such as MS-13 deemed by the administration to be terrorist organizations.
🇨🇦 Hiking Banned in Canadian Province: Citing “fire concerns,” Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has banned hiking in the woods, and will fine violators up to $25,000. The ban lasts until October 15 and includes not only hiking, but camping, fishing, and the use of ATVs. And just in case you see someone violating the order, the new snitch hotline is 1-800-565-2224.
