Beto O’Rourke won’t like this.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is going head-to-head with Democrat activist Beto O’Rourke — and this time, the stakes could mean jail time.
In a fiery court filing Tuesday, Paxton accused the former congressman of openly defying a judge’s restraining order that barred him from raising money to support Texas Democrat lawmakers who fled the state instead of showing up for work.
Court Order Ignored — Jail Time on the Table
According to the motion, O’Rourke and his group Powered By People kept soliciting donations to bankroll these runaway lawmakers even after the judge said “stop.”
Paxton is now seeking a $500 fine for every single violation and wants O’Rourke locked up “until he demonstrates a willingness to follow the law.”
“Beto is about to find out that ignoring the rule of law has consequences in Texas,” Paxton posted on X. “It’s time to lock him up.”
Beto’s Defiant Response
O’Rourke shot back, accusing the attorney general of lying and twisting his words. He posted a clip in which he blasted GOP redistricting efforts, declaring:
“F— the rules. We are going to win whatever it takes. We’re going to take this to them in every way we can.”
But the video also included a direct fundraising appeal, telling viewers to text “Fight” to donate — exactly what the restraining order prohibited.
Texas GOP Turns Up the Pressure
The fight is part of a broader Republican strategy to bring the runaway Democrats back to the Texas Capitol. Governor Greg Abbott has vowed to call another special session if they refuse to return, while the absent lawmakers rack up $500-a-day fines. Arrest warrants have already been issued, and Republicans say the FBI has been contacted to help track them down.
Many Texans see this as a clear case of Democrats dodging their responsibilities while still playing political games with taxpayer dollars. For Paxton, the message is simple — Texas law isn’t optional, and even Beto O’Rourke could soon be facing a jail cell if he refuses to comply.