Trump says the FBI could help to locate and arrest Democrats in Texas who fled
Dozens of Texas Democratic lawmakers fled the state on Sunday to prevent voting on a new electoral map.
After opposition lawmakers protested a new district map that would take away five seats from them in Texas and fled the state to prevent the vote, Donald Trump said federal authorities "could have" that” intervene in the location and arrest of the absent Democrats.
This came up when a reporter asked him today if the federal government and the FBI should intervene in the location and arrest of more than 50 Democratic lawmakers, Trump said, “Well, they may have to, they may have to.”
A lot of people have demanded their return. They can't just stand idly by. They have to come back. They have to fight. That's what elections are about," he added.
Yesterday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the state Department of Public Safety to arrest Texas Democrats who left the state.
The Republican governor's order came after the Texas House of Representatives voted to force the sergeant at arms to "request" the return of the legislators "under warrants, if necessary."
Meanwhile, Republican Senator John Cornyn on Tuesday asked the FBI for help in arresting and investigating Democratic legislators who left the state to boycott a proposed electoral redesign that would give Republicans an advantage in next year's midterm elections.
In a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, Cornyn asked the federal agency to help the Texas Department of Public Safety "locate" the politicians.
"These legislators have committed potential criminal acts in their haste to evade their constitutional responsibilities and must be fully investigated," Cornyn wrote in the letter.
The senator also repeated allegations made by Texas Governor Greg Abbott that the Democratic politicians had taken "bribes" to leave the state.
Under House rules, Lawmakers face a penalty of $500 per day for each day they are absent while Congress is in session.
According to the digital outlet The Texas Tribune, the Texas opposition has sought to raise funds from donors to cover the fines and sustain the strategy of leaving the state.
On Sunday, the lawmakers announced they would leave Texas in protest of "a rigged system that refuses to listen" to the people they represent.