Ken Paxton Pushes for Jail Term for Beto O'Rourke due to Persistent Fundraising for Walkout
In early August 2025, a Texas judge blocked Beto O'Rourke and his nonprofit organization, Powered by People, from fundraising to support Texas Democratic lawmakers who left the state to prevent a quorum needed for redistricting legislation. The Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton, successfully obtained a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that prohibited O'Rourke's group from using political donations to cover expenses such as travel, lodging, dining, or fines for these quorum-breaking Democrats, and from raising such funds through platforms like ActBlue.
The court found that O'Rourke’s fundraising involved "false, misleading, or deceptive acts" under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, causing imminent harm to the state.
Following the TRO, Paxton escalated the case by filing a motion asking the court to hold O'Rourke in contempt and to jail him for allegedly violating the court order. Paxton accused O'Rourke of defying the injunction by continuing fundraising efforts, citing a rally where O'Rourke reportedly said, "There are no refs in this game, fuck the rules."
At a rally in Fort Worth, O'Rourke expressed his intent to continue fighting against Republicans until they win. In an MSNBC appearance over the weekend, O'Rourke stated that he has no problem violating the court injunction. O'Rourke posted on social media that Paxton is lying to try to silence them and they're seeking maximum sanctions in response to his abuse of office.
The Democrats who walked out incur a daily $500 fee for their absences, along with other costs associated with travel and lawsuits against them. Paxton's motion points to O'Rourke's remarks at the rally urging the crowd to text a number that redirects to an ActBlue fundraiser. The motion was filed in Tarrant County, accusing O'Rourke of making disparaging statements about the temporary injunction.
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In a recent turn of events, Paxton previously referred to the funds O'Rourke has raised as "Beto Bribes." The court order blocked O'Rourke from fundraising for the 54 Texas Democrats who left the state to deny Republicans a quorum.
The Texas Attorney General's office and Beto O'Rourke's legal team have been contacted for comment but have not responded at the time of publication. The case is ongoing, and it remains to be seen how the court will rule on Paxton's motion seeking contempt charges against O'Rourke.
[1] Texas Judge Blocks Beto O'Rourke from Fundraising for Texas Democrats [2] Paxton Wants to Jail Beto O'Rourke for Allegedly Violating Court Order [3] Beto O'Rourke Accused of Violating Court Order by Texas Attorney General [4] O'Rourke Urges Crowd to Text Number Linked to ActBlue Fundraiser [5] Fahey Sides with Paxton, Determines O'Rourke's Group is Violating State Law
- Despite the Texas Judge's blocking of Beto O'Rourke's fundraising activities for Texas Democrats, the politician has shown intent to continue fighting against Republicans, asserting that he has no problem violating the court injunction.
- Amidst ongoing legal proceedings, the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's motion seeking contempt charges against Beto O'Rourke emphasizes the politician's continued fundraising efforts, which Paxton alleges violate the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO).