The question of whether or not Kash Patel’s FBI would take a role in hunting down the Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled the state has been answered.
According to Sen. John Cornyn, the FBI is on the job.
While nearly 50 Texas lawmakers abandoned their seats — and their constituents — by refusing to take part in the Texas House session…
It would only require a handful of them to be returned to the Texas Capitol in order for a quorum to be achieved, and the business of the Texas legislature to go forward.
Sen. Cornyn reached out to Kash Patel, who according to the Senator, has agreed to bring the FBI in on the MANHUNT for the truancy-prone Democrats:
JUST IN: Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, said that FBI Director Kash Patel has granted his request for the federal government to assist with locating Texas House Democrats who fled the state in protest of GOP-led redistricting efforts. https://t.co/H73UZNXZRh
— ABC News (@ABC) August 7, 2025
President Trump has also offered his support, though it’s unclear exactly how that might materialize.
Meanwhile, Cornyn thanked Director Patel today for agreeing to help hunt down the missing Texas lawmakers, according to ABC News:
Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, said on Thursday that FBI Director Kash Patel has granted his request for the federal government to assist with locating Texas House Democrats who fled the state in protest of GOP-led redistricting efforts.
“I thank President Trump and Director Patel for supporting and swiftly acting on my call for the federal government to hold these supposed lawmakers accountable for fleeing Texas. We cannot allow these rogue legislators to avoid their constitutional responsibilities,” Cornyn said in a news release.
“Just to get to the bottom of it, I asked Kash to look into it and he responded promptly, I’m grateful to him,” the senator said.
Cornyn called the Democrats “irresponsible” for breaking quorum — and rendering the legislature unable to take up any legislation, including some in responds to the floods that devastated the region recently.
“There are a number of things on the call that Gov. Abbott has listed, including redistricting, but they’re missing all of those. And I think that’s irresponsible, and I think we just need to get to the bottom of it,” said Cornyn. “They got to come back home sometime … it’s not going to be successful. They’re not going to be able to ultimately escape their responsibility. It’s a stunt.”
In the meantime, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to find and arrest those Democrats, an order Abbott said will remain in effect until they are “accounted for and brought back” to Austin.
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As expected, Congressional Democrats are having a fit over the audacity of using the FBI to enforce the law.
The House Minority leader threw one of his classic temper-tantrums on social media as a result of Kash Patel’s thumbs-up on helping to track down the lawmakers.
Hakeem Jeffries had the nerve to claim that the TRUMP ADMINISTRATION is “weaponizing” law enforcement to go after political opponents:
Shouldn’t the FBI be tracking down terrorists, drug traffickers and child predators?
The Trump administration continues to weaponize law enforcement to target political adversaries.
These extremists don’t give a damn about public safety.
We will not be intimidated. pic.twitter.com/6ayz7yQKrM
— Hakeem Jeffries (@hakeemjeffries) August 7, 2025
Last I checked going after your political foes, and simply holding them accountable to uphold their sworn elected duties… are two different things.
Cornyn sent a letter to Director Patel two days ago, requesting help from the FBI.
It remains unclear exactly how the FBI will be assisting Texas in tracking down the missing Democrats.
That could look like FBI ‘boots’ on the ground, or it could look like digital sleuthing via FBI assets to pinpoint exactly where all the vagrants are hiding.
But Cornyn’s request included “any appropriate steps to aid” Texas in finding them, as reported by The Hill:
Cornyn asked Patel in an Aug. 5 letter for the FBI to “take any appropriate steps to aid in Texas state law enforcement efforts to locate or arrest potential lawbreakers who have fled the state” to stop a Republican-led redistricting effort from moving forward.
The state lawmakers have left Texas to prevent the state House from achieving a quorum, which is necessary for the Republicans’ redistricting legislation to move forward.
Cornyn says the lawmakers are “potentially acting in violation of the law” and that the FBI has the tools to aid state law enforcement when parties cross state lines.
“Specifically, I am concerned that legislators who solicited or accepted funds to aid in their efforts to avoid their legislative duties may be guilty of bribery or other public corruption offenses,” he wrote earlier this week.
The senator warned that his request is a “time-sensitive matter,” as the Texas Legislature is in a special session with two weeks left to redraw the congressional map.
Cornyn’s letter from this last Tuesday called on Patel to assist going after the potential “lawbreakers”, noting that they are likely in violation of bribery and corruption charges.
All that besides absconding from performing their elected duty:
Here’s the full text of Cornyn’s August 5th letter to Director Patel:
August 5, 2025
The Honorable Kash Patel
Federal Bureau of Investigation
935 Pennsylvania Ave NWADVERTISEMENTWashington, DC 20535
Dear Director Patel,
I write to encourage the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) to take any appropriate steps to aid in Texas state law enforcement efforts to locate or arrest potential lawbreakers who have fled the state. As a maneuver to avoid legislative responsibilities, on August 3, 2025, many members in the Texas House of Representatives absconded from the state. Their stated goal was to prevent the legislature from properly meeting, in violation of their oath of office. By leaving the State of Texas, these legislators intend to prevent the existence of a quorum in the Texas House of Representatives. Without a quorum, no legislative activity can proceed.
In a representative democracy, we resolve our differences by debating and voting, not by running away. Some Texas legislators have fled to New York, and others have fled to Illinois. Since these state legislators are currently outside of Texas, the Texas Department of Public Safety may need support to arrest the fleeing lawmakers. Out-of-state actors have made public comments about protecting the Texas legislators who are currently hiding out of state from any accountability for their actions. I request the FBI’s assistance, as federal resources are necessary to locate the out-of-state Texas legislators who are potentially acting in violation of the law. The FBI has tools to aid state law enforcement when parties cross state lines, including to avoid testifying or fleeing a scene of a crime. Specifically, I am concerned that legislators who solicited or accepted funds to aid in their efforts to avoid their legislative duties may be guilty of bribery or other public corruption offenses.
This is a time-sensitive matter. The Texas Legislature is currently in a special session, called by Governor Abbott, with around two weeks left. As Governor Abbott noted, when the Governor calls a Special Session, the “[l]egislature shall meet.” The absence of a quorum prevents key votes on important areas of concern for Texans. For example, the recent Kerrville floods, which caused unbearable tragedy and destruction, is just one issue that needs to be addressed in this legislative session.
I am encouraged by the strong leadership from Governor Abbott on this matter. Governor Abbott and Texas state law enforcement officers are doing what they can within the confines of the law, but federal help may be necessary. These legislators have committed potential criminal acts in their rush to avoid their constitutional responsibilities and must be fully investigated and held accountable. I urge you to work with Texas public officials to provide them the support they need.
Sincerely,
Senator John Cornyn
U.S. Senator
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott continues to push the issue on multiple fronts, stating just a short time ago on Dana Loesch’s “The Dana Show” that arresting the derelict Texas lawmakers is not off the table.
He also pointed out the financial donations these state lawmakers have received in the process of abandoning their state likely violates multiple laws:
Texas DPS and the FBI are tracking down the derelict Democrats.
They will be taken directly to the Texas Capitol.
Those who received benefits for skipping a vote face removal from office and potential bribery charges.
In Texas, there are consequences for your actions. pic.twitter.com/0NiJHh4HBQ
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 7, 2025
Here’s the full screen version of that video clip for convenience:
Texas DPS and the FBI are tracking down the derelict Democrats.
They will be taken directly to the Texas Capitol.
Those who received benefits for skipping a vote face removal from office and potential bribery charges.
In Texas, there are consequences for your actions. pic.twitter.com/0NiJHh4HBQ
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 7, 2025
Gov. Abbott also corroborated Sen. Cornyn’s statements that the FBI is on the case, helping to find the Democrats who fled to other states.
This showdown isn’t likely to end with the Democrats suddenly coming to their senses and admitting they were in the wrong.
It is far more likely that we will see some of them arrested in short order, and forced to comply with Texas law that compels them to uphold their elected duty, and be present when the Texas legislature is in session.
That is the scenario that I am waiting to see play out, specifically after Friday’s deadline comes and goes.
That deadline was put in place by the Texas Supreme Court, by which time the minority leader of the Texas Dems must respond to the court per Abbotts lawsuit against them.
This is definitely a developing story, and we’ll keep you informed as more information becomes available.
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