An Illinois judge just rejected a request by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to help arrest Democrats who fled there over a fight on redistricting. Texas Republicans are expected to end their first special legislative session tomorrow after Democrats denied them a quorum, but they will immediately begin a new one, leaving out of state Democrats hammering out a plan for when they should return home. Joining me now, Democratic strategist and author of the Salty Politics Newsletter on Substack, Julie Reggink ...

From @WSJopinion: If Democrats truly believe in democracy, they should prove it by embracing elections that encourage participation by every voter, not just the ones who serve their interests, writes M. Todd Henderson https://t.co/HsiRai8bpE ...

as the fire engulfs the house, what are you grabbing on your way out. What are what are you grabbing of our democracy. And has it already burned.>> So, I I think a a critical question that I asked myself over and over again is, you know, can you put Humpty Dumpty back together again. We are breaking a lot of things. Um not we personally, but like the country things are being broken and mistakes are being made and I don't know if they can be fixed easily.um it it will likely take 20 years to undo what we've ...

Historical Narratives & American Identity - The analysis suggests a disagreement between the Trump administration's "MAGA evangelical embrace of American civil religion" and the idea of America as a nation "on the road to a more perfect union" [1] - The report highlights a tendency to reach for a "fantasy of a lily white America" and consensus that avoids contradictions, particularly when facing racial justice issues [4] - The discussion emphasizes that true cohesion cannot come at the expense of erasing peoples and history; it must emerge from dealing with the reality of who Americans are [3] Political & Cultural Commentary - The analysis posits that some believe Democrats have not celebrated the country with the same force as in the past, often contextualizing or adding "asterisks" to the American story [6] - The report suggests that celebrating the country involves making its ideals real and actualizing its promise, rather than engaging in an uncritical celebration based on myth and legend [7] - The speaker embodies the contradiction of American history and rejects the expectation of gratitude or muted criticism, refusing to concede to a "fantasy" [8][9] Historical Context & Future Outlook - The report draws parallels between current divisions and historical periods like 1926 (150th anniversary) and 1876 (centennial), indicating a recurring struggle with diversity and consensus [5] - The upcoming 250th anniversary is framed as a moment where there's a desire to affirm a particular "storybook version of America" over the idea of ongoing struggles [1]

Eight days into the Texas redistricting stalemate and it's only escalating. Moments ago in Austin, state senate Democrats joined their House colleagues and walked out of the session. Meanwhile, California Democrats plan to move forward with their promise to redraw districts to their advantage within the next 10 days.And Texas Governor Greg Abbott is all but daring them to >> know this. If if California tries to jerrymander five more districts, listen, Texas has the ability to eliminate 10 Democrats in our s ...

Political Context & Redistricting Fight - Texas House is set to reconvene after failed attempts at reaching a quorum due to a walkout by state Democrats over redistricting [1][2] - Top Texas Republicans are employing various tactics to compel Democrats to return, including calls for FBI involvement and legal challenges [2][3] - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has requested the State Supreme Court to expel 13 Democrats, and Governor Greg Abbott has specifically targeted State Representative Gene Wu for expulsion [3] Democratic Response & Strategy - Democrats view the lawsuits and actions by Republicans as distractions from alleged lying, cheating, and stealing from the American people [5][6] - The Democrats' objective is to end the corruption of the special session and buy time for Texans and Americans to pay attention and speak up against it [14][15] - Democrats are reaching out to the American people, framing the issue as not just about Democrats or Republicans, but about the American Dream and the future of society [16] - The strategy involves urging blue states to create a "cold war standoff" by linking their redistricting maps to Texas' actions [21][22] Republican Actions & Stance - Governor Greg Abbott is calling special sessions every 30 days and authorized to arrest Democrats if they return to Texas, potentially requiring them to stay out of state for years [8][9] - Governor Abbott's poll numbers are reportedly dropping, and Republicans' popularity is declining [10][11] Financial & Logistical Implications - Chartering planes and ongoing hotel costs for legislators out of state are making the situation incredibly expensive, potentially impacting Texas Democrats' bottom line [12][13] - Democrats are facing bomb threats, harassment of their families, and attempts to break into their houses [24][25] Broader Implications & Call to Action - Democrats believe Republicans are trying to steal their power and democracy, after stealing education, jobs, and healthcare over the last 50 years [11] - Democrats are asking all Americans and Texans, regardless of party affiliation, to fight for fairness, heart, and hard work [26][27]

Redistricting & Voting Rights - The report highlights accusations that President Trump is attempting to undermine democracy through redistricting efforts, specifically in Texas, which are seen as a violation of the Voting Rights Act [1] - Democrats are responding to Trump's actions by considering similar redistricting tactics in states where they hold power, described as "fighting fire with fire" [3][6] - The John Lewis voting rights bill, which aimed to change how districts are drawn in all 50 states, is mentioned as a potential solution to partisan gerrymandering [7] Political Strategy & Momentum - Democrats believe they are gaining momentum, citing special election victories and overperformance in recent elections [4] - The report suggests that Trump's unpopularity and unfulfilled promises are contributing to potential Democratic gains in the House of Representatives in 2026 [5] - The Democratic party emphasizes the need for a Congress with a "backbone" that can work in a bipartisan fashion, contrasting this with the Republican's focus on power [9][10] State-Level Politics & Governance - The importance of state-level politics in securing democracy and rights is emphasized, highlighting the role of governors in this fight [13] - The podcast featuring governors aims to provide deeper insights into their motivations, fears, and solutions for the problems facing the country [15]

Political Boycott and Redistricting - Texas Democrats are boycotting the State House, disrupting the GOP's redistricting plans [1] - The Democrats' action is described as a "stop on the clock" against an "outrageous power grab" [1] - Republican leadership is allegedly threatening Democrats to force their return [1] - The boycott is framed as a fight for families across the country, not just in Texas [2] Challenges and Resolve - State Representatives face challenges managing personal and professional lives while outside of Texas [4] - Representatives make $600 per month and rely on additional jobs [5] - The threat of withholding pay is seen as an intimidation tactic that representatives are not dependent on [5][6] - The representative asserts the boycott is within the bounds of the law and accuses the opposition of threatening to break the law [8][9] - The special session is scheduled to end on the 19th, and the primary goal is to raise national awareness [15][16] Allegations of Abuse of Power - Concerns are raised about the FBI being used to round up Texas Democrats [7][8] - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allegedly showed up at a relative's home of a representative [10][11] - Actions are described as a deliberate abuse of power and intimidation tactic [11]

Political Retaliation and Legal Challenges - Texas Democrats face retaliation for blocking a Trump-backed redistricting plan, with Governor Abbott requesting the expulsion of the House Democratic leader and Attorney General Paxton filing a lawsuit to declare 13 House seats vacant [1] - Senator Cornyn requested FBI assistance to locate the missing lawmakers, and Governor Abbott plans to arrest Democrats who may be in or outside Texas [2] - Democrats may not return until 2027 or 2028 due to continuous special sessions with the same agenda items, potentially leading to an abandonment of office [3] Stance and Resolve of Democrats - Democrats assert they are not running from anything but towards danger, emphasizing the importance of their voices and the threat to democracy [4][5] - Despite bomb threats and potential FBI involvement, Democrats remain resolute and determined to fight against racial gerrymandering [6][7][8][9] - Democrats are willing to hold out as long as it takes, aiming to catalyze change in other blue states regarding redistricting [18][19][20] Public Opinion and Leadership Concerns - Most Texans are reportedly upset with the state's leadership, questioning why important issues like flood relief and insurance costs are not prioritized over redistricting [13][14][15] - There are concerns about the governor and attorney general overreaching, potentially impacting Republican support at the ballot box in 2026 [11][14] Financial and Personal Sacrifices - Democrats face $500 in fines for each day of absence without leave, exceeding their $600 monthly salary [16] - The personal sacrifices, including separation from family, are acknowledged, but the resolve to fight remains strong [17][18] National Implications and Decorum - The actions of Texas Republicans are seen as part of a broader trend of declining decorum and decency in politics, influenced by President Trump [25][27] - There is a call for a national redistricting policy to ensure fair representation across all states [23]

I think this is this is the boss level. This is the endgame of where we are in America. Um this is the final move to see whether we we keep our democracy or not.Um if everyone is allowed to do this, if every state does this um every time a president changes or politics change, we'll continue to just throw everything red or blue each time. And if if they keep doing that, there's no more democracy left because politicians won't care who elects them. Um they'll just do whatever they want.That's not good for Am ...