[Opinion] East Texas attorney says Gov. Abbott can’t directly remove lawmakers from office

Can Texas Gov. Greg Abbott remove Democratic lawmakers who left the state over redistricting?

Gov. Greg Abbott said he's ordered the Texas DPS to "locate, arrest and return to the House chamber any member who has abandoned their duty to Texans."

East Texas attorney says Gov. Abbott can’t directly remove lawmakers from office

Tyler attorney Justin Roberts said the AG opinion that Abbott is citing is non-binding.

Fact brief: Can Gov. Abbott unilaterally remove Texas Democrats from office for fleeing a vote?

No. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott cannot unilaterally remove legislators from office. The Texas Constitution allows the Senate and House to expel a member with a two-thirds vote, but it does not grant removal authority to the governor. In August 2021, the Texas attorney general’s office issued an opinion that state district courts may decide whether a lawmaker has forfeited his office through abandonment and remove him from office.  The governor may ca…