AUSTIN — The FBI responded to U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s request to help locate the Texas House Democrats who left the state to prevent the Legislature from passing a new congressional map, the senator said Wednesday afternoon.
In a social media post, Cornyn said FBI Director Kash Patel had responded to his Tuesday letter in which the Texas senator requested the agency’s assistance in locating the more than 50 Democrats who left the state to deny the Texas House a quorum. Cornyn did not reveal the specifics of the agency’s response.
🚨@FBIDirectorKash has responded to my request to assist state & local law enforcement locate the runaway Texas House Democrats and investigate potential offenses.
Thank you Director Patel for your swift response & action!
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) August 6, 2025
It’s unclear whether the FBI would actually arrest Democrats, who have been near Chicago, in Massachusetts and New York this week, so they can delay the Legislature’s ability to pass a congressional redistricting map that would shift five districts to the GOP’s favor.
Political Points
The FBI declined comment Wednesday when asked about Cornyn’s post and whether the agency can arrest the lawmakers.
Cornyn’s office did not respond to an email asking if the FBI said it would arrest Democratic lawmakers.
On Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Greg Abbott hinted that the FBI was going to assist in the search.
Abbott told a conservative podcast, “It’s my understanding that the FBI is going to search for these derelict Texas House members in whatever state they may be in” and help identify them.
Wednesday’s development comes a day after Cornyn asked Patel to have FBI agents assist in bringing Democratic lawmakers back to Texas.
Related:John Cornyn pushes FBI to investigate Texas Democrats who left state over redistricting
“Since these state legislators are currently outside of Texas, the Texas Department of Public Safety may need support to arrest the fleeing lawmakers,” Cornyn wrote in a letter Tuesday to FBI director Kash Patel.
Many Democrats are in the Chicago area, where they have been giving interviews, spreading their message that the proposed map is an illegal and unfair silencing of minority voices.
The Texas House voted Monday along party lines to issue civil arrest warrants, allowing law enforcement to detain and force Democrats to return to the Capitol.
The House has not had a quorum for the two days it has gaveled in this week. State House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, adjourned the House until Friday.
President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday the Democrats who left have “abandoned the state.”
He was asked about Cornyn’s request Tuesday and whether the FBI should get involved.
“They may have to,” Trump said.
He highlighted Abbott’s demands the absent lawmakers return.
“You can’t just sit it out. You have to go back,” Trump said. “You have to fight it out. That’s what elections are all about.”