Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking a Tarrant County judge to jail former Democratic Congressman Beto O’Rourke, claiming he violated a court order halting fundraising linked to a recent Democratic walkout in the state legislature.
The dispute stems from a July lawsuit Paxton filed against O’Rourke and his political organization, Powered by People. Paxton alleges the group raised money under misleading pretenses to support Democratic state lawmakers who left Texas to block a vote on redistricting — a move that prevented the Republican-controlled legislature from advancing new congressional maps ahead of the midterm elections.
Judge Megan Fahey granted Paxton a temporary restraining order last week, barring O’Rourke and his group from soliciting donations tied to the walkout.
Contempt Motion Filed After Rally and Online Posts
On Tuesday, Paxton filed a motion for contempt, arguing O’Rourke ignored the restraining order by continuing to seek donations both online and at a political rally in Fort Worth over the weekend.
According to the motion, O’Rourke told rally attendees, “There are no refs in this game, f— the rules.” Paxton claims the remark shows willful defiance of the court order. However, video footage reviewed by reporters appears to show O’Rourke making the statement in the context of urging Democrats in other states to redraw their own maps — not in direct reference to the fundraising case.
O’Rourke Denies Allegations, Accuses Paxton of Lying
O’Rourke, who has sparred with Paxton in the past, rejected the accusations on X (formerly Twitter).
“He’s lying about me to try to silence us,” O’Rourke wrote, posting the full rally clip. “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 at Issue
Paxton’s motion also points to O’Rourke’s continued promotion of Powered by People donation links after the restraining order took effect. In one cited example, O’Rourke replied to a social media post just hours after the ruling, writing:
“Actually, you didn’t. Still here, still raising and rallying to stop the steal of 5 congressional seats in Texas.”
At the Fort Worth rally, O’Rourke reportedly told supporters to text the word “FIGHT” to a campaign number. Those who did received a response with a donation link. Paxton argues this was a deliberate and knowing violation of the court’s instructions.
“Robert Francis flagrantly and knowingly violated the court order I secured,” Paxton said in a statement Tuesday. “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.”
Judge Fahey has not yet scheduled a hearing on Paxton’s contempt motion. If the court finds O’Rourke in violation, potential penalties could include fines or jail time.
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