New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on Monday that Texas' redistricting initiative mean that Republicans and Democrats are "at war."
Speaking to Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to prevent the session from taking place, Hochul said "you are on the right side of history, and you're not alone."
"History will judge us based on how we respond to this moment. Here in New York we won't stand on the sidelines. This is a war. We are at war. And that's why the gloves are off and I say, bring it on," Hochul added.
Hochul: "This is a war. We are at war. And that's why the gloves are off and I say, bring it on." pic.twitter.com/go1Ch7k3Be
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 4, 2025
Dozens of other state lawmakers made their way to Illinois to avoid the session as well, with some going to Boston. Those who left Texas believe they could be arrested for leaving the state.
Speaking to press on Sunday, Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu said that even though Governor Greg Abbott doesn't have the authority to send troopers across state lines, "we don't know what Donald Trump's going to do."
"That's not far-fetched from arresting state legislators because they feel like it, and consequences be damned," Wu added.
Governor Greg Abbott, on his end, said that if Democrats don't return to the state by 3 p.m. CT Monday, he would invoke an opinion by the Texas AG that will allow him to remove them from the House.
"I will use my full extradition authority to demand the return to Texas of any potential out-of-state felons," Abbott said in a statement. Democrats, in turn, gave a terse answer: "Come and take it."
Hochul has warned she is ready to redistrict the state if Texas indeed moves forward. "I won't sit by while Donald Trump and Texas Republicans try to steal our nation's future," Hochul said in a social media publication. She had already conveyed such a message the week prior, saying "all's fair in love and war."
"We are following the rules. We do redistricting every 10 years, but if there are other states that are violating the rules and trying to give themselves an advantage, all I say is I'll look at it closely with Hakeem Jeffries," she added then.
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