{"id":2473895,"date":"2025-08-12T15:08:01","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T19:08:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/paxton-wants-to-put-beto-orourke-behind-bars-for-pac-payments\/"},"modified":"2025-08-12T15:09:33","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T19:09:33","slug":"paxton-wants-to-put-beto-orourke-behind-bars-for-pac-payments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/paxton-wants-to-put-beto-orourke-behind-bars-for-pac-payments\/","title":{"rendered":"Paxton wants to put Beto O&#8217;Rourke &#8216;behind bars&#8217; for PAC payments"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpaxton-wants-to-put-beto-orourke-behind-bars-for-pac-payments%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2473895&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is seeking to jail former Democratic Congressman Beto O&#8217;Rourke, accusing him of violating a court order that prohibits him from financially supporting texas Democrats who fled the state to block a Republican-favored redistricting plan. O&#8217;Rourke&#8217;s political group, Powered by People, covered costs for these lawmakers, leading Paxton to file a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >lawsuit alleging illegal fundraising practices<\/a>. A tarrant County judge issued a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-georgia-update-judge-issues-restraining-order-for-10-days-preventing-defendants-from-destroying-or-erasing-dominion-voting-machines\/\" title=\"BREAKING GEORGIA UPDATE: Judge Issues Restraining ... for 10 Days Preventing Defendants from Destroying or Erasing Dominion Voting Machines\">temporary restraining order<\/a> against O&#8217;Rourke, which Paxton says was flagrantly violated when O&#8217;Rourke asked supporters at a Fort Worth rally to donate to Powered by People. Paxton insists legal consequences, including fines and imprisonment, are necessary to enforce the order. Simultaneously occurring, O&#8217;Rourke has filed a countersuit against Paxton, accusing him of conducting a fishing expedition against his group and trying to intimidate political opponents. O&#8217;Rourke remains a prominent Democratic figure in Texas politics and is viewed as a potential candidate for statewide offices in future elections.  <\/p>\n<div id=\"ld-4686-3758\"><\/div>\n<p><script>(function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:14832835450050406,size:[0, 0],id:\"ld-4686-3758\"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/cdn2.decide.dev\/_js\/ajs.js\";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,\"script\",\"ld-ajs\");<\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Paxton working to put Beto O&rsquo;Rourke &lsquo;behind bars&rsquo; for PAC payments to Texas Democrats<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2200246\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Texas Attorney General <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ken-paxton\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Ken Paxton<\/a> on Tuesday said prison is on the line for former Democratic Rep. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/beto-orourke\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Beto O&rsquo;Rourke <\/a>after he was accused of violating a court order blocking him from funding Democratic lawmakers seeking to thwart the GOP&rsquo;s redistricting plan.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, dozens of state Democrats left Texas to delay the vote for a new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/beto-orourke-says-texas-redistricting-rolls-red-carpet-for-third-trump-term-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Beto O\u2019... says ... redistricting rolls \u2018red carpet\u2019 for third Trump term - Washington Examiner\">congressional map favoring<\/a> the Republican Party in the state. O&rsquo;Rourke, a Texas congressman from 2013-2019, got involved through his political group, Powered by People, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3492267\/democratic-pacs-texas-democrats-pay-fines-avoiding-special-session\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">covered the costs of the fleeing lawmakers<\/a>. Paxton swiftly filed a lawsuit alleging O&rsquo;Rourke illegally engaged in false or misleading fundraising practices to raise money for the lawmakers.&nbsp;Tarrant County District Judge Megan Fahey <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3495487\/judge-blocks-beto-orourke-financially-aiding-fugitive-state-lawmakers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">ruled<\/a> in Paxton&rsquo;s favor with a temporary restraining order <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3492444\/beto-orourke-says-texas-redistricting-rolls-red-carpet-for-third-trump-term\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">against<\/a> O&rsquo;Rourke last Friday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3497211\/ice-applicants-increase-hiring-illegal-immigration\/\">ICE swamped with 100,000 applications in two weeks since announcing hiring blitz<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3497153\/teens-charged-doge-staffer-attack-kept-in-custody\/\">Teens charged in DOGE staffer attack will be kept in custody<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3496748\/oklahoma-emptying-prisons-illegal-immigrants-budding-ice-partnership\/\">Oklahoma emptying prisons of illegal immigrants in budding ICE partnership<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>This week, Paxton said O&rsquo;Rourke &ldquo;blatantly violated&rdquo; the court order when he asked attendees at a Fort Worth rally to donate funds to Powered by People to thwart <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3497455\/texas-supreme-court-delays-decision-greg-abbott-ken-paxton-request-eject-democrats-from-office\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">redistricting efforts<\/a> benefiting Republicans.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He still thinks he&rsquo;s above the law, so I&rsquo;m working to put him behind bars,&rdquo; Paxton said in a statement. &ldquo;Robert Francis flagrantly and knowingly violated the court order I secured that prevents him from raising funds and distributing any more Beto Bribes.&nbsp;He&rsquo;s about to find out that running your mouth and ignoring the rule of law has consequences in Texas. It&rsquo;s time to lock him up.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Those who violate Fahey&rsquo;s temporary restraining order could be fined up to $500 and jailed for up to six months, according to Paxton, whose office <a href=\"https:\/\/www.texasattorneygeneral.gov\/news\/releases\/attorney-general-ken-paxton-takes-action-hold-robert-francis-orourke-contempt-violating-court-order\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">wrote<\/a> in a press release that &ldquo;imprisonment [for O&rsquo;Rourke] is absolutely necessary to persuade him to obey the lawful restraining order issued by the Tarrant County court.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Paxton&rsquo;s actions come after O&rsquo;Rourke urged supporters on Saturday to text a number associated with<a href=\"https:\/\/poweredxpeople.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> Powered by People<\/a> and financially back Democrats&rsquo; efforts to thwart a GOP vote on redistricting efforts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;[Paxton] tried to stop us from holding this rally here today in Fort Worth,&rdquo; O&rsquo;Rourke <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=dC6gbMv0yPU&amp;list=RDNSA5eThN0qDb0&amp;index=9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">said<\/a> during the Fort Worth rally. &ldquo;He tried to stop us from raising money to support these Democrats in the fight he lost, and one of the worst things that we could do to Ken Paxton is to, right now, choose to donate to have the backs of these fighters by texting &lsquo;fight&rsquo; to 20377.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O&rsquo;Rourke speaks during a campaign event in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. (AP Photo\/LM Otero)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Paxton &ldquo;is trying to stop us from raising the resources they need to ultimately prevail and come through, and we are not going to let him stop us,&rdquo; O&rsquo;Rourke added. &ldquo;Are you with me on that?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3472892\/nathan-johnson-first-democratic-campaign-texas-attorney-general\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FIRST DEMOCRAT ENTERS RACE TO REPLACE PAXTON AS TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>O&rsquo;Rourke filed his own lawsuit against Paxton last Friday, demanding the courts block the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mi-lawmakers-just-made-it-easier-to-commit-election-fraud\/\" title=\"MI Lawmakers Simplify Process for Election Fraud\">attorney general&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3492787\/ken-paxton-orourke-investigation-powered-by-people-financed-texas-democrats-left-state\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> investigation<\/a> into Powered by People&rsquo;s practices. He alleged that Paxton was engaging in a &ldquo;fishing expedition, constitutional rights be damned&rdquo; and accused his foe of trying to &ldquo;make examples out of those who fight so that others won&rsquo;t.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>O&rsquo;Rourke has been viewed as a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3476778\/beto-orourke-john-cornyn-texas-senate-seat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> possible contender <\/a>to challenge Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) or Paxton, depending on the primary campaign, ahead of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3497236\/senate-gop-pac-slf-spending-cornyn-texas-primary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">2026 election<\/a>. He previously lost a 2018 senate race against Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), a 2020 presidential primary race against former President Joe Biden, and a 2022 gubernatorial bid against Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2200246\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2200246\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Paxton aims to jail Beto O&#8217;Rourke over PAC funds<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2473896,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/AP23160746054869-1024x682.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[58418,44332,61144,18466],"class_list":["post-2473895","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-beto-orourke","tag-legal-dispute","tag-pac-payments","tag-paxton"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/AP23160746054869-1024x682.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2473895","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2473895"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2473895\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2473899,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2473895\/revisions\/2473899"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2473896"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2473895"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2473895"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2473895"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}