Texas Gov. Abbott pushes removal of Democrat in the redistricting walkout

The political showdown in Texas took a new turn on Wednesday with Governor Greg Abbott asking the state Supreme Court to remove Democratic lawmaker, Rep. Gene Wu, from his position.

What happened?
Rep. Wu is among the 50 Texas House Democrats who left the state to forestall a GOP-led effort to redraw congressional district lines. Their actions resulted in a quorum not being reached for a second consecutive day.

Quorum is the minimum number of members required to be present at a House meeting for a legislature to pass.

Rep. Wu argues that his and fellow congressional members’ departure was a constitutional stand against what he calls a “racist gerrymandered map.”

Meanwhile, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says his office will take legal action against the Democratic lawmakers if they don’t return by Friday.

Gov. Abbott had already ordered the arrests of the lawmakers who fled. But legal experts say it is not valid outside Texas state lines.

President Donald Trump suggested the FBI may get involved in the arrests.

Any such moves will raise constitutional and legal questions about Gov. Abbott’s authority. The political battle has garnered national attention over legislative power, voting rights, and the limits of protest.