Texas AG Ken Paxton asks judge to put Beto O’Rourke in jail

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is taking steps to obtain a finding of contempt against former Rep. Robert “Beto” O’Rourke, asserting he has violated a judge’s order.

Paxton filed the contempt motion on Tuesday, citing the former lawmaker’s continued fundraising efforts in support of the Democrat legislators who left the jurisdiction to deny the state House a quorum to vote on redistricting, as the Daily Caller reported.

If his motion is granted, the state attorney general will seek penalties, potentially including jail time for O’Rourke.

This comes shortly after a temporary restraining order was issued on Friday by Tarrant County Judge Megan Fahey, blocking O’Rourke from fundraising or distributing funds to lawmakers.

Paxton’s concerns emerge

In a press release from Paxton’s office, the law enforcement officer said that O’Rourke told a crowd in Fort Worth, after the judge’s order, that “there are no refs in this game, f*** the rules.”

According to Paxton, O’Rourke not only continued with his attempt to raise money but also showed a “vulgar disdain for the rule of law.”

The attorney general also argued that his target’s “immense personal wealth” dictates that he must be imprisoned to ensure his compliance with any order.

“Beto told me ‘to come and take [him],’ so I did and beat him in court,” Paxton said. “Now, he still thinks he’s above the law, so I’m working to put him behind bars.”

BREAKING: I’m taking action to hold Robert Francis O’Rourke in contempt for violating a court order and scamming Texans.

Beto is about to find out that running your mouth and ignoring the rule of law has consequences in Texas.

It’s time to lock him up. pic.twitter.com/JZO4cbBkt1

— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) August 12, 2025

In addition to Paxton’s efforts, Republican Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) is pushing for United States Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate O’Rourke’s

Cornyn made a push for Bondi to investigate whether O’Rourke’s Powered by People political action committee (PAC) and a Soros-linked Texas Majority PAC acted unlawfully.

The senator said in a letter to the attorney general, “I write today to encourage an investigation of the entities funding this charade.”

He continued, “News reports make clear that PACs tied to Beto O’Rourke and megadonors such as George Soros are supporting the legislators, along with other campaign entities.”