Following reports that Beto O’Rourke’s nonprofit Powered by People was helping fund Texas state Democrats’ exodus out of the state to halt Republican redistricting efforts, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced he would be launching an investigation into the matter.
Texas House Democrats fled the state this week in an attempt to stop Republican efforts to redraw the state’s congressional maps. As a result, Texas House Republicans authorized civil arrest warrants for the absent lawmakers for depriving the House chamber of its ability to conduct official business. Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott subsequently called on the Texas Department of Public Safety to help arrest them. The civil arrest warrants, however, are only enforceable within state lines, and it is unclear how they will be executed.
Meanwhile, a report from The Texas Tribune claimed that O’Rourke’s nonprofit Powered by People was among the main groups funding air transport, lodging, logistical support, and helping with the $500-per-day fines for the absent state lawmakers, citing anonymous sources involved with the fundraising efforts.
The report followed a warning issued by Abbott, indicating the fleeing state lawmakers could potentially be in felonious territory if they solicit, accept, or agree to accept funds “to assist in the violation of legislative duties or for purposes of skipping a vote.”
“Any Democrat coward breaking the law by taking a Beto Bribe will be held accountable,” Paxton said in a press release announcing the probe. “Texas cannot be bought.”
In Paxton’s announcement, he charged Powered by People with being one of the “top groups” providing financial assistance to Texas House Democrats who have left the state to obstruct Republicans’ redistricting efforts, which they claim is essential to ensure racial gerrymandering is not taking place.
According to Paxton, the financial assistance could amount to a violation of Texas bribery laws and potentially other laws governing campaign finance, coercion of a public servant, and abuse of office.
In response to the investigation, O’Rourke described Republicans in Texas as “thugs” attempting to “steal our country,” and accused Paxton of bribery himself. O’Rourke said, “The guy impeached for bribery is going after the folks trying to stop the theft of five Congressional seats.”
Paxton is demanding documents and communications from Powered by People regarding the “potentially unlawful activity,” noting he is not afraid to take “aggressive legal action” against the Democrats who have obstructed legislative proceedings in Texas.
The Texas Tribune’s report said that O’Rourke has been “working the phones” to encourage Texas lawmakers to leave the state to block the GOP’s legislative efforts, citing an individual familiar with the discussions.
Powered by People is also actively soliciting donations on its website to support the Democratic effort, promising potential donors that “100% of your donation will go to supporting Texas Democrats in their fight against Trump’s power grab.”
During a CNN interview, O’Rourke was asked why he was helping Democrats flee Texas. O’Rourke responded, “Absolutely,” when asked if it was worth it to obstruct Texas legislative proceedings.
But CNN anchor Pamela Brown challenged O’Rourke on whether the funds might be “better spent” aiding vulnerable Texans instead. O’Rourke responded, “I actually believe that they can stay out long enough to stop this steal in Texas.”
Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom and Kristine Parks contributed to this report.
