Chicago Bomb Threat Forces Texas Dems to Evacuate Hotel

The Texas Democrat lawmakers who deserted their home state for Illinois in an effort to cripple their state House's ability to conduct business were forced to evacuate a Chicago hotel early Wednesday due to a bomb threat, according to Mediaite.

Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott called a special legislative session last week to approve a new congressional map that could give the state GOP five more seats in the 2026 midterm elections, but Texas state House Democrats fled to Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts on Sunday in a last-ditch attempt to prevent a vote.

Promising to "use every available resource" to bring the absent lawmakers back, Abbott on Monday ordered the arrest of any Democrat lawmaker upon their return, and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, called on the FBI to "take any appropriate steps" to assist state authorities in finding or arresting them.

In a joint statement highlighted by Mediaite, Texas Democrat state Reps. Gene Wu, Ramón Romero, and Barbara Gervin Hawkins confirmed that a bomb scare had forced the group to clear out in a hurry.

"This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus," the lawmakers' statement read. "We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred."

"We are grateful for [Illinois] Governor [J.B.] Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety," they added.

In a separate statement, state Democrat Rep. Ann Johnson blamed Republican Texas officials for inciting threats against her and her Democrat colleagues.

"Early this morning, a bomb threat forced us to evacuate our hotel. Thankfully, no one was harmed. But this is the kind of danger that comes from reckless rhetoric. When the Attorney General tells people to 'hunt us down,' it's not just politics — it's a threat to our safety," Johnson said.

"I've had my life threatened before as a chief human trafficking prosecutor. I never expected those threats would come from the Governor or my colleagues in the Legislature. Extremism is dangerous. Continuing to go further and further down the path of incitement and intimidation is dangerous. And this is the perfect example," she continued.

"We won't be intimidated. Texas Democrats are united, resolute, and more committed than ever to standing up for the people we represent. This moment demands courage — and we're ready to meet it," Johnson added.

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