Texas Representative Gene Wu dismisses Governor Abbott's efforts to remove him from office as insignificant
In a dramatic turn of events, Texas State Representative Gene Wu finds himself at the centre of a constitutional dispute after fleeing the state to prevent a GOP-friendly redistricting vote during a special legislative session.
The session, called by Governor Greg Abbott on August 9, 2025, was at the behest of former President Trump to redraw congressional maps in an attempt to gain up to five additional seats for Republicans ahead of next year's midterm elections.
State Rep. Wu, a Democrat who represents part of Houston and chairs the Texas House Democratic caucus, and about 50 other Texas Democrats fled the state this past weekend to break quorum and prevent Republicans from advancing the GOP's agenda.
Governor Abbott has since filed an emergency petition with the Texas Supreme Court to remove Rep. Wu from office, arguing that he has abandoned his office. The petition specifically asserts that Wu and other Democratic lawmakers deliberately left to break quorum, thus failing to perform their official duties, which Abbott frames as an abdication or forfeiture of office under Texas law.
However, Rep. Wu and other legal experts have challenged this petition. Wu contends that only the Texas House of Representatives itself has the constitutional power to remove a member, requiring a two-thirds majority vote for expulsion. He argues the judiciary has no authority to oust elected legislators and that Abbott’s lawsuit is an unprecedented judicial intervention into legislative affairs.
Further, Wu claims the petition was improperly filed in the Texas Supreme Court instead of a district court, as there are disputed facts in the case that warrant a jury trial. Legal scholars interviewed express skepticism about Abbott's use of quo warranto here, noting that this writ traditionally addresses illegal or improper office holding, not political tactics like quorum breaks. Some suggest the court might still rule in Abbott’s favor, but the case raises substantial constitutional questions about separation of powers and legislative self-governance.
In response to the petition, Rep. Wu called it "meaningless" and argued that the governor doesn't have the power to file such a suit under state law. He also asserted that if this trend continues, it could lead to the end of democracy.
The interview with Rep. Wu was edited by Treye Green and the radio version was edited by Adam Bearne and produced by Nia Dumas. The digital article was copyrighted by NPR in 2025.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican, added fuel to the fire by stating that the FBI has agreed to help find and arrest the Democrats who fled the state. However, the implications of this involvement remain unclear.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also noted that the governor may not have this authority under state law, adding another layer of complexity to the already contentious situation.
As the legal battle unfolds, Rep. Wu remains steadfast in his beliefs, stating that the Republicans are either going to split communities apart or smash them together, reducing their power. He continues to speak out about why he feels Texas Democrats' efforts are worth it and why he isn't worried about the Trump administration dragging them back to Texas.
- The constitutional dispute revolves around the role of the government in the removal of State Rep. Gene Wu, who argues that only the Texas House of Representatives has the power to decide on expulsion.
- The special legislative session called by Governor Greg Abbott, aimed at redrawing congressional maps to gain seats for Republicans in the midterm elections, has led to a political standoff, with war-and-conflicts metaphorically used by Rep. Wu to describe the GOP's tactics.
- Amidst the legal battle, the case of politics and policy-and-legislation, with its implications on separation of powers and legislative self-governance, has attracted general-news coverage and conveyed a sense of unease about the future of democracy in Texas.
