Texas AG Ken Paxton Says He Will ‘Hopefully’ Put Runaway Dems in Jail as Redistricting Dispute Heats Up

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned Friday morning that he will “hopefully” put the Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this week in jail ahead of a deadline for their return to the Lone Star State.

Paxton appeared on Fox & Friends First as he discussed the ongoing standoff over the Republicans’ push for a mid-decade redrawing of congressional districts.

Dozens of Democratic lawmakers, who have slammed the move as a “power grab” to seal a partisan advantage ahead of 2026 midterms, left Texas as a result.

The Dems face a deadline Friday to return to the state, or face expulsion — and even arrest.

Paxton welcomed that possibility.

“We’re waiting to see if they show up,” Paxton told hosts Carley Shimkus and Todd Piro. “Our speaker is giving them a deadline to show up today. If they show up, we’re happy, can get business done and everything is good. If they do not show up, we will be in an Illinois courtroom to get them back to the state of Texas, hold them in contempt, if they refuse, hopefully put them in jail.”

Paxton’s has maintained a hard line on the runaway lawmakers, posting on X earlier this week that Democrats “who try and run away like cowards should be found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately.

On Thursday, Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn revealed that President Trump’s FBI agreed to help hunt down and return the fleeing pols to Texas.

Watch above via Fox News.