Bulwark Takes: Cornyn Calls FBI on Texas Democrats (w/ Rep. Lizzie Fletcher) – Detailed Summary

Release Date: August 8, 2025

Bulwark Takes, hosted by Sarah Longwell of The Bulwark, delves into the escalating political tensions surrounding Texas's redistricting efforts. In this episode, Sarah is joined by Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher to discuss the Republican-led initiative to redraw Texas congressional maps, its implications for democracy, and the broader national ramifications.

Introduction: Setting the Stage

Sarah Longwell opens the episode with a light-hearted conversation about their shared alma mater, Kenyon College, establishing camaraderie with Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. However, the discussion quickly pivots to the pressing issue of Texas redistricting.

Sarah Longwell [00:00]: "We're not just here to talk about Kenyon. I mean, I would like to talk about that for 20 minutes... but we're also here to talk about the Republican effort to redistrict Texas."

The Republican Redistricting Effort in Texas

Fletcher provides an overview of the current redistricting efforts in Texas, emphasizing the drastic shift anticipated in congressional representation.

Lizzie Fletcher [02:01]: "They're trying to redraw these maps... all the Democrats are elected by coalitions of minority voters... redrawing the maps so that now almost 80% of the seats will be Republican."

She highlights the historical context, referencing the 2003 redistricting led by Tom DeLay, which significantly altered Texas's political landscape in favor of Republicans. Fletcher underscores the disproportionate majority Republicans hold compared to the state's voting demographics.

Fletcher [04:07]: "Our Texas legislators are totally courageous. They have left the state to deny a quorum... this is much bigger than Texas."

National Implications and Potential Backlash

Sarah discusses the potential for Texas's redistricting tactics to inspire similar moves in other Republican-leaning states, questioning the sustainability and ethicality of such strategies.

Sarah Longwell [03:37]: "These other red states trying to do everything they can... How unusual is it to do this mid-decade redistricting? Like, doesn't happen, right?"

Fletcher responds by addressing the legal and political dimensions, noting that while political gerrymandering has been deemed acceptable by the Supreme Court, the racial implications of the maps target minority voters unfairly.

Fletcher [06:59]: "Courts have said, well, political gerrymandering is fine... but they are trying to dilute the voting power of all of those people by redistricting."

She warns of potential backlash, suggesting that Democratic efforts to counteract these maps could lead to a nationwide confrontation over electoral boundaries.

The FBI's Involvement and Escalating Tensions

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Senator John Cornyn's controversial request for FBI assistance in locating Texas legislators who have left the state to block the redistricting quorum.

Sarah Longwell [13:47]: "It came out yesterday that the FBI... approved Senator John Cornyn's request for help locating the Texas legislators who have left the state."

Fletcher criticizes this move as a misuse of federal authority and a partisan power play, emphasizing that the legislators' actions are constitutional and that the FBI has no jurisdiction in this matter.

Fletcher [14:24]: "Breaking quorum is totally legal. It's in the Texas Constitution... So what does the FBI even have to go after them for? It's just crazy."

Local Politics and the Broader Power Struggle

The conversation shifts to the internal dynamics of the Republican Party in Texas, highlighting Governor Abbott's shift towards a more MAGA-aligned stance and the ensuing political maneuvering.

Fletcher [18:22]: "They're just trying to curry favor with Trump, and it's gross. People see it. They're fighting for the people and you're fighting for Donald Trump."

She expresses optimism about Democratic resilience, asserting that despite the gerrymandering efforts, Democrats remain committed to contesting and winning the affected seats through strategic campaigning and candidate support.

Fletcher [12:18]: "We're going to have the resources and we are not going away. We are not going to give up these seats without a fight."

Conclusion: A Call to Action

As the episode wraps up, Fletcher emphasizes the importance of vigilance and active participation in safeguarding democratic principles against partisan redistricting and executive overreach.

Fletcher [21:37]: "We're going to keep fighting. We're going to fight the maps and then we're going to fight in the elections. And we're not going to give up."

Sarah echoes this sentiment, commending the fearless stance of Texas legislators and urging listeners to stay engaged and informed.

Sarah Longwell [22:14]: "Congresswoman, thanks so much for joining us. And thanks to all of you for watching... we'll see you guys later."

Key Takeaways

• Redistricting in Texas: Republicans aim to redraw congressional maps to increase their seats from 25 to potentially 30, marginalizing Democratic representation.

• Political and Racial Implications: The new maps disproportionately affect minority voters, diluting their electoral influence despite Texas being a majority-minority state.

• National Impact: The Texas strategy may inspire similar redistricting efforts in other Republican-led states, posing a threat to democratic norms nationwide.

• FBI's Role: Senator Cornyn's request to involve the FBI in locating dissenting legislators is viewed as a partisan tactic lacking legal justification.

• Democratic Resistance: Despite the challenges, Democrats are committed to contesting and winning the redrawn districts through dedicated campaigning and resource allocation.

• Broader Power Struggle: The episode highlights the ongoing battle between partisan interests and democratic integrity, emphasizing the need for active civic engagement.

This episode of Bulwark Takes provides a comprehensive analysis of the contentious redistricting efforts in Texas, underscoring the potential threats to democratic representation and the urgent need for collective action to uphold electoral fairness.