Texas AG Moves to Jail Beto O'Rourke Over Redistricting Feud: 'It's Time to Lock Him Up'

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton requested a Tarrant County judge on Tuesday to jail former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, accusing him of violating a court order that prohibits him from financially supporting Texas Democrats who fled the state to block a redistricting push by state Republicans.

The request comes a week after Paxton sued O'Rourke and his political group, Powered by People, arguing that it was deceptively fundraising for and illegally supporting Texas Democrats' walkout. Tarrant County District Judge Megan Fahey quickly granted Paxton's request to temporarily block O'Rourke and Powered by People from fundraising.

However, O'Rourke and other Dems rallied in Fort Worth Saturday in opposition to Republicans' efforts, an event in which he O'Rourke told the crowd that "there are no refs in this game, f--k the rules," comments which Paxton claims violate the temporary injunction.

"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."

Paxton added that imprisonment was necessary to enforce compliance, noting that violating such an order can carry fines up to $500 and jail time of up to six months.

O'Rourke, who also filed a lawsuit against Paxton on Friday in El Paso District Court, described Paxton's actions as an unconstitutional "fishing expedition" aimed at shutting down one of the largest voter registration organizations in the country.

"Paxton is trying to shut down Powered by People because our volunteers fight for voting rights and free elections," O'Rourke said according to The Texas Tribune. He denied allegations of deceptive fundraising and described the effort as supporting Democrats who left the state to prevent Republicans from advancing a redistricting plan that could increase GOP seats in Congress.

Judge Fahey had temporarily barred O'Rourke and Powered by People from funding the Democrats who broke quorum to delay redistricting, citing evidence suggesting that O'Rourke's group engaged in unlawful fundraising and financial support in violation of state law and House rules. Paxton celebrated the ruling on Friday as a victory to "stop his deceptive financial influence scheme."