Judge orders Texas Democrat to respond to governor’s bid to remove him from office

https://www.washingtontimes.com ^ | August 6, 2025 | Susan Ferrechio

[Enterprise]

The Supreme Court of Texas has ordered the top Democrat in the Texas state legislature to respond to a lawsuit filed by Gov. Greg Abbott that seeks to remove him from office.

In an escalating battle over Texas redistricting, Mr. Abbott filed the lawsuit on Tuesday, accusing state Rep. Gene Wu of renouncing constitutional mandates “by fleeing the state of Texas to break quorum, obstruct legislative proceedings and paralyze the Texas House of Representatives.”

Mr. Wu, chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, led an exodus of party lawmakers from the state earlier this week.

(Snip)

In his lawsuit, Mr. Abbott called Mr. Wu “the runaway ring leader of the derelict Democrats.”

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TOPICS: Government
KEYWORDS: democrats; derelict; quorum; redistricting; texas

[Enterprise]

LOL - stand your ground ya derelicts. Maybe you will all be removed from office, and some new derelicts will take your places.

[55Ford]

Wu is from China; probably a spy. Send him back to his home!

[FlingWingFlyer]

Bobby Beto’s cowardly Mr. Wu shouldn’t have anything to say about it? He works for Beto now. Fire his butt and deport him back to China. TEXANS DON’T RUN, Biatch.

[Night Hides Not]

The average Texan grew up on studying about the Alamo, Gonzales, and other historical events. Texans are a proud people, and don’t respect those who run away from a fight. The Democrats still haven’t figured this out.

[FlingWingFlyer]

You’re exactly right.

[alancarp]

Did the court order that he appear IN PERSON?

[silent majority rising]

“Denying the governor a quorum was not an abandonment of my office. It was a fulfillment of my oath.”

Nice speech. Dead wrong, of course. But nice. It is not the “Governor’s Quorum”, it is the Texas House Quorum.

[catnipman]

make him appear in person!

[Enterprise]

I doubt that he has to appear in person. His lawyer can appear and file the necessary response.

[Political Junkie Too]

“Denying the governor a quorum was not an abandonment of my office. It was a fulfillment of my oath.”

There are actually two infractions that are being conflated here:

1. Denying a quorum: there are all sorts of reasons why a quorum might not exist. People get sick, are on trade junkets, are in committee hearings, are at remote meetings, etc. These result in short delays until the quorum can be met.

2. Fleeing the state to be beyond the jurisdiction of the Sergeant at Arms: this is a serious move as it is an intentional act to avoid the law. Fleeing the jurisdiction can be considered as abandonment or vacating one's office. If the politician took money or accepted anything of value, such as transportation or lodgings, in order to withhold their vote, that is bribery under the Texas Constitution.

-PJ

[libertylover]

The governor should have the power to give lawmakers a few days to return to their duties or it would be considered that they have abandoned their duties and be replaced by the governor.

[for-q-clinton]

Should make him respond to it in person. problem solved :-)