On August 5th, 2025 John Cornyn issued a request to the FBI (specifically Kash Patel the director of the agency) "take any appropriate steps to aid..., efforts to locate or arrest potential lawbreakers who have fled the state". [1]
In "potential lawbreakers", it's clear he's referring to the Texas Democrats who fled the state to avoid the redistricting vote as the next paragraph in his letter recounts the actions they took and suggests they "violation of their oath of office". [1] Additionally, the article on his website is titled "Cornyn Urges FBI to Investigate & Hold Fleeing Texas Legislators Accountable", again showing he's referencing the Texas Democrats. [2]
On August 7th, 2025 Kash Patel in response to John Cornyn's request for assistance agreed to "assist Texas law enforcement in locating members of the Texas House of Representatives who have fled the state". [1] John Cornyn also claimed that Kash Patel assigned agents from both the San Antonio and Austin offices to the matter. [2]
1: FBI Grants Cornyn Request to Hold Fleeing Texas Legislators Accountable 2: Senator John Cornyn on FBI help wrangling wayward TX Dems - 1:19-1:23
1: Letter to FBI on Texas Legislators 2: Cornyn Urges FBI to Investigate & Hold Fleeing Texas Legislators Accountable