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District Attorney Jose Garza at his office on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.<\/p>\n
Mikala Compton\/American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Fight Against Federal Overreach,<\/a> or\u00a0FAFO, is a new coalition of elected prosecutors from cities and counties across the country who say they want to protect local communities and hold federal officials<\/a> accountable if they violate state or local laws. And Travis County District Attorney Jos\u00e9 Garza is a part of it.<\/p>\n Garza traveled to Washington, D.C., earlier this month to meet with the group and finalize a list of demands directed at Congress as lawmakers negotiate funding for the Department of Homeland Security. The coalition formed in response to what members say are increasing concerns about federal immigration enforcement tactics<\/a>, including warrantless entries, unlawful detentions and aggressive operations in local communities.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n FAFO argues that federal agents should be subject to the same standards and accountability<\/a> as local law enforcement. The group says it plans to coordinate investigations, share legal resources and collect evidence about alleged misconduct in their jurisdictions.<\/p>\n Jose Garza, right, a then-candidate for Travis County District Attorney, talks to a UT student outside a polling location at the Flawn Academic Center on the UT campus on Tuesday November 3, 2020.<\/p>\n JAY JANNER\/AMERICAN-STATESMAN<\/p>\n \u201cOur coalition strongly advocates that Congress approve additional measures to safeguard the rights and safety of our communities, as well as the integrity of our democratic institutions,\u201d said Garza. \u201cIt is important to reiterate that federal law enforcement officers are not immune from state prosecution. Federal officials who commit unlawful acts in this county will be prosecuted and held accountable by this community.\u201d<\/p>\n Are Democrats reclaiming FAFO?<\/p>\n The phrase \u201cFAFO,\u201d short for \u201c[expletive] around and find out,\u201d has become a blunt political slogan in recent years, especially among conservative politicians in Texas. \u201cFAFO\u201d was popularized among the right last year when President Donald Trump made a Truth Social post featuring the phrase.\u00a0 Trump has continued to use the term in his messaging.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The acronym gained more attention in Texas after Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republican leaders began using it. Also last year, Abbott posted the phrase while warning protesters at the Texas Capitol that crossing legal lines would lead to arrests. Other prominent conservatives, including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Dan\u00a0Crenshaw, have also used the term in response to political controversies, framing it as a law-and-order message about accountability.<\/p>\n Between the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety, more than a dozen protesters were arrested in Austin.<\/p>\n Peaceful protesting is legal. <\/p>\n But once you cross the line, you will be arrested. <\/p>\n FAFO. @TxDPS<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Now, the Fight Against Federal Overreach coalition raises the possibility that Democrats may be trying to flip the script. By adopting the FAFO acronym, prosecutors like Travis County District Attorney Jos\u00e9 Garza appear to be repurposing a slogan commonly used by conservatives to warn protesters, activists or political opponents.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Why local prosecutors are involved<\/p>\n Unlike federal prosecutors, local district attorneys typically handle violations of state law. FAFO members say that means they could bring charges if federal officials commit crimes in their jurisdictions. That matters because presidential pardons only apply to federal offenses, not state cases.<\/p>\n Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza speaks at the District Attorney\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Office on Thursday February 17, 2022, about pending indictments of Austin police officers for their actions during the social justice protests in 2020.<\/p>\n Jay Janner \/ American-Statesman<\/p>\n In Texas, however, the governor has authority to grant clemency for state convictions, including those brought by local prosecutors. That means any potential prosecution of federal officials in state court could still face political and legal hurdles.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The coalition also says it is preparing for potential conflicts related to elections and immigration enforcement. Members say they want to create systems for documenting complaints and protecting voters from intimidation or interference.\u00a0<\/p>\n What the group is asking Congress to do<\/p>\n The coalition released a detailed list of policy demands tied to DHS funding. Among the proposals:<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Requiring federal immigration agents to be clearly identifiable, including name or badge number. July 30, 2020; Washington, DC, USA; The family of Vanessa Guillen joins members of congress to announce plans for the #IAmVanessaGuillen Bill and then march from the U.S. Capitol to the White House in Washington, DC on July 30, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY<\/p>\n Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n The group also wants Congress to allow civil rights lawsuits against federal officials in the same way they can be brought against state and local officers.<\/p>\n Does FAFO actually have\u00a0power?<\/p>\n FAFO\u2019s\u00a0influence comes from the offices its members already hold.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Each prosecutor in the coalition, including\u00a0Garza, has the power to investigate and bring state criminal charges within their own jurisdiction, so if federal agents commit crimes under Texas law\u00a0\u2014 such as assault, unlawful entry or civil rights violations\u00a0\u2014 a local prosecutor could potentially file charges in state court.<\/p>\n Garza has already built a track record of pursuing cases against law enforcement. He campaigned in 2020 on a pledge to hold officers accountable.<\/p>\n Since taking office, his administration has brought charges against Austin police officers over 2020 protest injuries, prosecuted officers in multiple on-duty shooting cases and secured at least one rare conviction in an officer-involved shooting \u2014 though that conviction was later overturned on appeal. His office has also indicted a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper in a separate use-of-force case.\u00a0<\/p>\n Still, the path is complicated. Federal agents often have legal protections when acting within the scope of their duties, and disputes over jurisdiction would likely be fought in court. The outcomes of the cases Garza has taken up have so far been mixed. And the Governor’s clemency power poses additional roadblocks.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The coalition\u2019s immediate impact may be more political than legal. By organizing across jurisdictions, members can share information, coordinate lawsuits and put pressure on Congress to adopt stricter oversight rules.<\/p>\n Why this matters in Austin<\/p>\n Austin is already living inside the exact friction FAFO says it was built for\u00a0\u2014 messy overlap between federal immigration enforcement,<\/a> state mandates and local policing.<\/p>\n Robert Saulter holds a photo of a man who died in ICE custody as he questions Police Chief Lisa Davis during a town hall to address community concerns about Austin police officers cooperating with federal immigration agents at Govalle Elementary School in Austin Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.<\/p>\n Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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\nExpanding protections around \u201csensitive locations\u201d like schools, hospitals, churches and polling places.
\nLimiting enforcement actions near voting sites and during elections.
\nEnding racial profiling and requiring stronger remedies for violations.
\nSetting clearer use-of-force rules, including restrictions on crowd control weapons against nonviolent protesters.
\nRequiring judicial warrants for arrests and home entries.
\nEnding arrest quotas and large-scale enforcement surges.
\nIncreasing oversight, healthcare access and family contact for people in detention.
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