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 August 15, 2025

Obama applauds Texas Democrats who fled state to obstruct redistricting vote

Texas Democrats’ dramatic exit from the state legislature has caught the eye of former President Barack Obama, who called their stunt “inspiring.”

Fox News reported that over 50 Texas House Democrats fled to deny a quorum, halting a Republican redistricting bill that could hand the GOP five extra congressional seats. Obama, via a secretive Zoom call, cheered their tactics as a bold stand for “fair elections.”

But is fleeing the state a defense of democracy, or just political theater dodging accountability?

The lawmakers, facing legal action from Texas Republicans, have scattered to cities like Chicago, New York, and Boston. Rep. Gene Wu, head of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, gushed on X about Obama’s support, claiming it shows Democrats “don’t stand alone.”

Yet abandoning their posts leaves Texas voters without representation, raising questions about their commitment to governance.

Obama’s Virtual Pep Talk

Obama met the absent lawmakers through a Zoom call from an undisclosed location, a move Wu blamed on Republican “threats and surveillance.”

His spokesperson said Obama “lauded their fight” against what he called an “egregious gerrymander.” The praise feels rich coming from a party that’s no stranger to redistricting games when it suits them.

Wu told ABC News he was “especially excited” about Obama’s encouragement, claiming it proves Democrats are fighting for democracy nationwide. But democracy requires showing up, not running away when the vote doesn’t go your way. This walkout smells more like a calculated tantrum than a principled stand.

The Texas Democrats, holed up in safe havens, insist they won’t return until the legislature adjourns or California counters with its redistricting plan.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, not one to miss a political spotlight, announced plans to redraw his state’s districts to erase Republican seats. Tit-for-tat redistricting wars hardly scream “fair elections.”

Sen. Ted Cruz fired back, warning that if California eliminates GOP districts, Texas should erase Democratic ones, ensuring a Republican net gain. This escalating feud risks turning redistricting into a national cage match, with voters caught in the crossfire. Both sides seem more interested in power than principle.

Some Texas Democrats popped up in Illinois, where Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined Wu at a news conference in Carol Stream on Aug. 3, 2025.

Their public appearances suggest less fear of Republican “threats” and more a desire for media attention. It’s hard to take cries of intimidation seriously when you’re posing for cameras in another state.

Wu claimed on X that Obama’s support shows the “whole country is watching.” But watching what? A group of lawmakers shirking their duties while claiming moral superiority?

Democrats’ Defiance or Dereliction?

Obama’s X post on Aug. 5, 2025, called the Texas GOP’s plan a “power grab that undermines our democracy.” Strong words from a leader whose own party has redrawn maps to favor Democrats in states like Illinois. The hypocrisy is as thick as Texas barbecue sauce.

Wu told ABC News the Zoom call’s secrecy was necessary because of “desperate” Republican tactics. Yet no evidence of surveillance has surfaced, and the claim feels like a convenient excuse to dodge scrutiny. Hiding behind Zoom while accusing others of intimidation is a weak look.

The Democrats’ vow to stay gone until their demands are met reeks of ultimatums, not compromise. They claim to be “fighting for democracy,” but democracy thrives on debate, not desertion. Voters deserve lawmakers who show up, not ones who stage a cross-country protest.

Texas Republicans, backed by former President Donald Trump, argue their redistricting plan reflects the state’s shifting demographics. Critics, including Obama, call it gerrymandering to lock in GOP dominance. Both sides have a point, but neither seems eager to prioritize voters over partisan wins.

Wu’s assertion that Republicans are “attacking the foundation of our democracy” ignores the fact that redistricting is a messy, legal process both parties exploit.

The Texas Democrats’ flight might delay the bill, but it won’t rewrite the rules of political hardball. Their absence only fuels the narrative that they’re dodging a fight they can’t win.

Obama’s cheerleading may rally the progressive base, but it sidesteps the reality: Fleeing lawmakers aren’t heroes—they’re holding Texas hostage. The real fight for fair elections happens in the legislature, not on Zoom calls or out-of-state press tours. Texans deserve better than this political circus.

Written By:
Benjamin Clark

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