Texas Gov. Abbott Says FBI Will Search For Dems Who Left The State To Block GOP Redistricting Push: 'Whatever State They May Be In'

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the FBI will help search for Democrats who left the state to block Republicans' redistricting push in the state.

Speaking to conservative radio host Dana Loesch, Abbott said Democrats who are "out of state think they are beyond the reach of Texas law enforcement" and while "they may or may not be, but when they come back they're not going to their cozy home; they will be arrested and taken to the capitol."

Abbott went on to say the FBI "is going to search for these derelict Texas House members, in whatever state they may be in, and help identify them – and maybe work with us to bring them back."

Abbott has also urged the state Supreme Court to remove State House Democratic leader Gene Wu, saying he has "forfeited" his office by leaving the state.

Wu, on his end, accused Abbott of "silencing his dissent" and vowed to continue leading opposition to the initiative. "Let me be unequivocal about my actions and my duty. When a governor conspires with a disgraced president to ram through a racist gerrymandered map, my constitutional duty is to not be a willing participant," Wu said.

He added that state Democrats are seeking for donations to face the costs associated with having left the state, including hotel bills for the dozens of lawmakers and daily fines for not attending the sessions.

The Associated Press detailed that a political group by former congressman Beto O'Rourke, Powered by People, has given money to the caucus to help cover some costs.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said he will launch an investigation to determine whether the group incurred in a "financial influence scheme."

He had also vowed to "hunt down" Democrats who left the state, but then cast doubt on the possibility of prosecuting them, saying he would "have to go through a court process" and potentially file lawsuits in "districts that are not friendly to Republicans." O'Rourke, in turn, said he would use Paxton's threat as a fundraising opportunity.

House rules determine fines can't be paid from office budgets or political contributions. However, people involved in the Democratic strategy told the Texas Tribune that they already have a strategy in place to face the roughly $1 million a month needed to finance the move.