TX AG seeks jail time for Beto O’Rourke over alleged restraining order violation
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking a Tarrant County judge to jail former U.S. Democratic Congressman Beto O’Rourke for allegedly violating a temporary restraining order related to fundraising efforts. Paxton claims the funds helped Texas state Democratic lawmakers leave town, blocking a vote to redistrict congressional seats.
President Donald Trump has asked Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps to strengthen the GOP’s House majority ahead of the midterm elections. By leaving, the Democrats broke the quorum needed to hold the vote, effectively stalling the legislation.
Last week, Paxton filed suit against O’Rourke and his group, Powered by People, alleging they were collecting money under misleading pretenses to support the Democratic walkout. Judge Megan Fahey sided with Paxton and issued a temporary restraining order, halting O’Rourke and his group from raising money.
Contempt motion follows rally and online activity
On Tuesday, Paxton filed a motion for contempt, accusing O’Rourke of violating Fahey’s court order by soliciting money at a political rally over the weekend and making a provocative remark.
Paxton’s motion references a quote allegedly made by O’Rourke during the rally in Fort Worth.
“There are no refs in this game, f— the rules,” O’Rourke said.
However, video evidence shows O’Rourke made the remark while encouraging Democrats to redistrict in blue states — not in response to Paxton’s legal action.
O’Rourke responded on X.
“He’s lying about me to try to silence us,” O’Rourke wrote. “Here’s the full clip. I mean every word. We alerted the court that the AG’s office blatantly lied in its filing. We’re seeking maximum sanctions in response to his abuse of office. Taking the fight directly to this corrupt, lying thug.”
Fundraising link and text campaign scrutinized
In his motion, Paxton also cited social media posts in which he said O’Rourke continued to promote donation links for Powered by People after Fahey’s order.
“Four (4) hours later – and less than five (5) hours after this court issued the TRO—defendant O’Rourke replied to this tweet saying: ‘Actually, you didn’t. Still here, still raising and rallying to stop the steal of 5 congressional seats in Texas,’” Paxton claims in the motion.
At the Fort Worth rally, O’Rourke reportedly asked the audience multiple times to text the word “FIGHT” to a phone number, which responded with a donation link. Paxton alleges this was an intentional violation and raises questions about legality and ethics.
“Robert Francis flagrantly and knowingly violated the court order I secured that prevents him from raising funds and distributing any more Beto bribes,” Paxton said in a statement. “He’s about to find out that running your mouth and ignoring the rule of law has consequences in Texas. It’s time to lock him up.”
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
