Is Beto O'Rourke about to enter the "find out" stage of his gambit to aid and abet Texas Democrat legislators who fled the state to deny a vote on redistricting? If Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX) has anything to say about it, the answer is yes.
RELATED: Beto Makes Profane Rant on Redistricting, Reveals What Dems Would Do If They Regained Power
According to Paxton, he has now filed a motion for contempt against the failed Democrat presidential candidate for allegedly violating a temporary restraining order regarding illegal fundraising. The possible punishment? Up to six months in jail.
The backstory involves O'Rourke's raising money for the aforementioned Democrats, who are enjoying donor-paid trips to Illinois and New York while abandoning the duties of their offices. Essentially, Paxton filed a lawsuit arguing that a Texas law regarding fraudulent fundraising was violated because the money was not actually being used for political purposes. Instead, it was going to pay for the personal expenses of the runaway Democrats.
Texas District Court Judge Megan Fahey agreed, issuing the TRO while litigation continues. O'Rourke responded by saying he would violate it, proclaiming, "There are no refs in this game. F*** the rules." He then continued to promote his fundraising organization, Powered by People, at political events throughout the weekend.
Are we about to see Beto, which is properly pronounced with a California stoner voice, in handcuffs? I don't know, but this doesn't seem like a very wise fight to pick, given how quickly the initial retaining order was issued against him. When you've already lost the first round of litigation, the last thing you should be doing is telling the judge, "F*** the rules."
O'Rourke has nothing if he doesn't have too much hubris, though. He's gotten so wrapped up in the MSNBC accolades that he's forgotten there are actual consequences for his actions. Perhaps now is a good time to reacquaint him with that reality. Maybe that's what he wants? O'Rourke is an attention whore, and becoming a martyr might be his plan. I don't care, though. If Republicans keep backing down to avoid certain optics, then Democrats will just keep pushing the envelope.
As to what this will do to the Texas Democrats camped out in hotels, denying their constituents representation, I'm sure the left-wing donor machine will figure out a way to keep funneling them money. When they finally do get tired of being exiled and return, they should be arrested and drug down to the Texas Capitol Building to provide a quorum. It shouldn't end there, either. The investigations into possible bribery should continue, and some real accountability should come.
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