A Texas judge has issued a temporary restraining order against former congressman Beto O’Rourke and his nonprofit organization, Powered by People, following allegations from state Attorney General Ken Paxton that they engaged in illegal fundraising to aid Democratic lawmakers who fled the state in an effort to block Republican redistricting legislation.
Tarrant County District Judge Megan Fahey, a Republican appointed in 2019 by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, issued the ruling Friday evening.
BROKE? As a result of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s bribery investigation into Beto O’Rourke and George Soros, Judge Megan Fahey placed a lien on all of Beto’s money and property. Her order also prevents him from raising additional money and distributing it to the rogue… pic.twitter.com/22YpfNqN62
— @amuse (@amuse) August 9, 2025
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The order prohibits O’Rourke and his group from raising funds or providing financial support to the Democrats who left Texas to avoid a legislative vote on GOP-backed redistricting maps.
In her decision, Fahey wrote that “Defendants have and will continue to engage in unlawful fundraising practices and utilization of political funds in a manner that either directly violates or causes Texas Democratic Legislators to violate [the law].
Consumers have and continue to suffer irreparable harm through these unlawful acts because they are making political contributions that are being used to fund personal expenses and violate state law.”
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According to Paxton’s office, the fundraising in question covered costs including air travel, lodging, logistics, and the daily fines levied against absent lawmakers during the quorum break.
🚨 BREAKING – VICTORY: Texas AG Ken Paxton secures a restraining order on Beto O’Rourke against illegal fundraising for the derelict Texas Democrats who fled the state to block redistricting.
“The Beto Bribe buyouts that were bankrolling the runaway Democrats have officially… pic.twitter.com/D57kLuojzC
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 8, 2025
The restraining order came only hours after Paxton’s office filed its petition.
O’Rourke, a former Democratic presidential and U.S. Senate candidate, issued a statement after the ruling, claiming that Paxton’s action was politically motivated.
“Ken Paxton is trying to shut down our nonprofit because our volunteers fight for voting rights and free elections,” O’Rourke said.
“They want to make examples out of those who fight so that others won’t. Now Paxton’s filed a restraining order to try to take us out of the fight. He wants to silence me and stop me from leading this organization. He wants to stop us from fighting Trump’s attempt to steal the five congressional seats he needs to hang on to power. But I’m not going anywhere. I plan on speaking at our rally to stop the power grab in Fort Worth tomorrow afternoon.”
Paxton responded directly to O’Rourke’s remarks.
“Cry more, lib,” Paxton said.
“You lost in court because you’re breaking the law and deceiving Texans. We absolutely will make an example out of law breakers.”
Cry more, lib.
You lost in court because you’re breaking the law and deceiving Texans. We absolutely will make an example out of law breakers. https://t.co/zDc15Q4ghe
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) August 8, 2025
In addition to his action against Powered by People, Paxton’s office confirmed it has opened an investigation into the Texas Majority PAC, which has also been accused of funding the lawmakers who fled the state.
The Democratic walkout, which mirrored a similar quorum-breaking move in 2021, aimed to derail passage of Republican-led redistricting legislation.
The GOP-backed maps are expected to strengthen Republican representation in Texas and secure control in upcoming election cycles.
Separately, O’Rourke filed his own lawsuit Friday in El Paso district court against Paxton. According to reporting from The Texas Tribune, O’Rourke accused Paxton of conducting a “fishing expedition” and requested that the court block the attorney general’s investigation into his nonprofit’s activities.
The temporary restraining order will remain in effect pending further court proceedings.
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