Former Attorney General Eric Holder said Sunday that the FBI does not have jurisdiction to return Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled their state.
“Texas lawmakers are digging in. You heard Governor Abbott there talking about the FBI, Senator Cornyn calling the FBI to help locate those Democratic lawmakers who fled the state. I wonder, do you think that the FBI has jurisdiction to intervene here and try to bring back those Democrats who are in other states?” NBC News’s Kristen Welker asked on “Meet the Press.”
“Short answer, no. I mean, you’re asking the FBI to get involved, to find these legislators who are in the process of trying to defend democracy in Texas,” Holder responded.
“And they’re not hard to find, but the question after that is, ‘Well, what’s the federal jurisdiction? What federal statute has potentially been violated? What’s the basis for any federal government interaction?’ And I would say that there is none,” he added.
Texas Democratic state House members last weekend left the Lone Star State amid a redistricting battle between themselves and Texas Republicans. The move resulted in outcry from members of the state’s GOP, who have been trying to move ahead with a controversial redistricting plan that could cost Democrats seats in Congress.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Thursday that FBI Director Kash Patel approved a request to assist state and local law enforcement in finding the absconded Texas Democrats.
“I am proud to announce that Director Kash Patel has approved my request for the FBI to assist state and local law enforcement in locating runaway Texas House Democrats,” Cornyn said in a statement Thursday morning.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) also said Thursday that the FBI was “tracking down” the Democratic lawmakers.
“Texas DPS and the FBI are tracking down the derelict Democrats. They will be taken directly to the Texas Capitol,” Abbott wrote on the social platform X.
The Hill has reached out to Cornyn’s office and Abbott’s press office for comment.
When reached for comment by The Hill, the FBI declined to do so.
