Over 300 pro-democracy rallies swept 44 states and Washington D.C. on Saturday, drawing tens of thousands protesting President Donald Trump’s push for Texas Republicans to redraw congressional maps favoring GOP candidates. Organized by labor unions and advocacy groups like Texas For All, the demonstrations marked the largest coordinated response to what activists call an "unprecedented power grab" to secure five additional Republican House seats before the 2026 midterms. In Texas, former Congressman Beto O’Rourke electrified crowds at Fort Worth’s Ridglea Theater, declaring: “Republicans are running scared because they see the power of organized people. They fear losing their unearned advantage”.
Fifty Texas House Democrats remain in Illinois, beyond reach of Texas law enforcement after fleeing the state on August 3 to break legislative quorum. Their absence blocked Governor Greg Abbott’s special session from voting on the Trump-backed redistricting plan, which targets minority-represented districts like Rep. Marc Veasey’s Tarrant County seat. House Speaker Dustin Burrows reactivated civil arrest warrants Friday, warning absent lawmakers: “Do not think you can return for a peaceful weekend. If located, you will be compelled to the chamber”. Democrats face $500 daily fines but vow to stay exiled until California finalizes retaliatory maps.
Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a constitutional amendment Thursday: the Election Rigging Response Act, proposing five new Democratic-leaning congressional districts in California. The move would neutralize Texas’s GOP gains by eliminating Republican strongholds like Darrell Issa’s San Diego seat and Ken Calvert’s Riverside district. Newsom framed it as self-defense: “Trump chose to burn democracy. California will fight fire with fire”. The plan requires voter approval in a November 4 special election, though former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger opposes dismantling California’s independent redistricting commission.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a restraining order against O’Rourke’s Powered by People group, accusing it of illegally funding Democrats’ “lavish” exile with $1 million in donations. O’Rourke countersued, calling Paxton’s action “racist intimidation”. Meanwhile, Abbott’s second special session threatens flood-safety legislation urgently needed after July’s deadly storms, a delay Democrats blame on GOP prioritization of partisan maps.
The standoff has galvanized Democratic leaders nationwide. New York Governor Kathy Hochul backed mirror redistricting efforts, while protesters in Manhattan chanted “Stand up, fight back!” outside Trump Tower. House Minority Leader Zoe Lofgren warned: “If Texas rigs its maps, California will nullify their gains. We refuse to let Republicans strip healthcare and attack voting rights”. With Texas Democrats planning to return next week to “build a legal record” against the GOP maps, the battle now shifts to federal courts.