Texas governor vows to arrest Democrats who fled to block redistricting vote | First Thing

<p>Lawmakers leave state to deny Republicans quorum needed to hold votes. Plus, why audio of Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson is being used to scare wolves</p><p>Good morning.</p><p>The Texas governor, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/04/texas-democrats-republicans-maps">Greg Abbott, has threatened to arrest Democratic lawmakers</a> after they left the state to prevent Republicans from pushing through plans to aggressively change Texas’s congressional map, a move that is likely to see them gain seats in the next election.</p><p><strong>Why did the Democrats leave?</strong> By breaking quorum, the Democrats have temporarily blocked the controversial plan sought by Donald Trump to redraw the state’s congressional maps, a move that would probably give Republicans five more seats in Congress.</p><p><strong>Why were the protest</strong><strong>ers arrested?</strong> Just after 8pm, the group began walking to the Trump International hotel. They gathered in front of the hotel, sitting in the street, singing and chanting. At about 8.15pm ET, New York police department officers began arresting protesters for blocking the street.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/05/first-thing-texas-governor-democrats-arrest">Continue reading...</a>