A bunch of Texas Democrats who fled the state to stop Republicans from gerrymandering forward of subsequent yr’s midterm elections had been pressured to evacuate their resort in Chicago on Wednesday as a result of a bomb menace they blamed on rhetoric from Texas Republicans and President Donald Trump.
“This morning there was a bomb menace at our resort. We had been evacuated and everyone seems to be protected,” Texas state Rep. John Bucey III wrote in a post on-line. “That is what occurs when Republican state leaders publicly name for us to be ‘hunted down.’ Texas Democrats received’t be intimidated.”
“As a former human trafficking prosecutor, I’ve confronted threats earlier than, however by no means from the Governor or President Trump,” added Texas state Rep. Ann Johnson. [Texas Attorney General Ken] Paxton informed his supporters to ‘hunt us down’—however we received’t be silenced.”
Texas Republicans, on the urging of Trump, are planning to safe 5 extra seats in Congress via an off-schedule redrawing of the electoral map within the Lone Star State. The controversial transfer would assist the GOP retain management of the Home subsequent yr amid worries within the celebration about their unpopular electoral agenda of slashing Medicaid and tax cuts for the rich.
Democratic members of the Texas legislature refused to point out up for the particular session, nevertheless, denying Republicans the required quorum to push via the brand new maps. The Democrats traveled to the blue state of Illinois this week as an alternative, assembly with state officers who’re pondering related redistricting efforts to offset the doubtless GOP positive aspects in Texas.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a possible 2028 presidential contender who met with the Texas Democrats on Tuesday earlier than vowing to combat “cheater” Trump, mentioned the bomb menace could be investigated by native authorities.
“I’m conscious of stories that threats had been made in opposition to Texas elected officers in our state. Threats of violence can be investigated and people accountable can be held accountable,” Pritzker mentioned Wednesday.
The Texas Democrats are going through every day fines for refusing to point out as much as the state’s legislative session, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is making an attempt to take away them from their jobs. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), in the meantime, is asking on the Federal Bureau of Investigation to become involved and assist carry the Democrats again to Texas.
“That is the lead-up to authoritarianism, that that is what despots and dictators do all over the world,” Texas Home Democratic Caucus chair Rep. Gene Wu mentioned Tuesday throughout an interview on MSNBC. “We have now fought wars in opposition to folks like this. We have now sacrificed lives to free folks from dictators like this who do these form of issues, who use the authorized course of, use regulation enforcement to go search out their enemies, search out individuals who disagree with them, and use any means essential to silence them.”
Republicans, in the meantime, argue that they’re merely entitled to extra congressional seats in Texas and doubtlessly different pink states, like Indiana and Missouri.
“We’re a pink state, we deserve extra illustration,” Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick informed Fox Information.
