More than 50 Democrats left the state on Aug. 4 in a quorum-breaking move to stop congressional redistricting by stalling official business in the House.

New York Times columnist David Brooks compared Trump's Texas redistricting efforts to 'mustard gas' on democracy, criticizing both parties' gerrymandering tactics.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called a second special session Friday after gaveling out the first 30-day session, hamstrung by fleeing Democrats who left the state.

The blistering Texas summer is usually a time when candidates announce their campaigns and begin raising money for the election year ahead. This Texas summer has been cooler than normal, and so has the announcement period for some of the high-profile 2026 races.

On Monday, Abbott will speak with CBS News Texas political reporter Jack Fink live during the 5 p.m. newscast about the political standoff in Austin.

The event was part of a national day of action, "Fight the Trump Takover," in protest of the redrawing of congressional maps in Texas. Protestors gathered on the Union and Eastmoreland overpasses and held signs and banners with statements such as "Resist" and "Stop Trump Save Democracy.