A partisan declaration of war?

Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, said on Thursday that the F.B.I. had agreed to his request to help track down dozens of Democratic Texas state lawmakers who left the state to prevent a vote on a redistricting plan.

The activation of federal agents could create a standoff between the Trump administration and state leaders in Illinois, where many of the absent Democrats have taken refuge.

It was not clear on Thursday morning whether federal agents had actually taken action in the case, or what role they might eventually play.

The whereabouts of the Texas lawmakers are widely known, but until now at least, they had considered themselves safe from arrest because they were far from the jurisdiction of Texas law enforcement agencies.

“I am proud to announce that Director Kash Patel has approved my request for the F.B.I. to assist state and local law enforcement in locating runaway Texas House Democrats,” Mr. Cornyn said in a statement. “I thank President Trump and Director Patel for supporting and swiftly acting on my call for the federal government to hold these supposed lawmakers accountable.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

we've been in a civil war since 2020

Longer, arguably. But this will be an explicit injection of force or the threat of force into politics in a new and dangerous way. And completely lawless.

Arguably, the federalization of the California National Guard was the first step, but in that case there was a clear federal interest in immigration enforcement. Here there is no justification beyond naked partisanship.

"BRING IT ON!! FBI VS STATES RIGHTS!!

"BRING ON THE BLOODSHED-THIS WILL END WELL"

Not really FBI vs states rights.

It’s the FBI assisting state Republicans against state Democrats

Not a federal/state war. A purely partisan war.

While I don't approve of any of what they're doing, there is a legal route for the Texas Republicans to get what they want. They can take it to the Texas courts and due to words in that state's Constitution/laws can get the courts to say they've abandoned their office. The Texas courts are filled with Republican appointees. Should be easy, especially if it goes on for awhile which would give those courts some cover. Again, wouldn't agree with it, but it's a technicality they could exploit with the right judges.

This, however, is very much not that. The FBI has no legitimate interest in going after a state's politicians that have left due to a disagreement over state law. This is more Trump as King bullshit.