BREAKING NEWS: Blue Press Journal (TX) – In a shocking display of partisan strong-arming, Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier, a Democrat from Fort Worth, has been detained in the state Capitol by the Republican majority after refusing to consent to 24-hour police surveillance. Collier, one of over 50 Democratic legislators who fled the state earlier this month to block the passage of a new congressional map, filed a writ of habeas corpus in the district court of Travis County, Texas, claiming unlawful detention.
According to the lawsuit, Collier was informed by Chairman of the Committee on House Administration Charlie Geren that she was not free to leave the Capitol and would be subject to arrest if she attempted to do so. The lawmaker has spent the past 24 hours locked inside the building, mostly on the House floor, with limited access to her office.
The detention of Collier is the latest escalation in the bitter battle over redistricting in Texas. The Republican majority, backed by President Donald Trump, is seeking to create five new GOP seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats, who claim the maps are gerrymandered to favor Republicans, have been using every available tactic to block their passage.
The lawsuit is a scathing critique of the Republican majority’s actions, which Collier’s lawyers argue are a clear violation of her constitutional rights. “Representative Collier has been informed that she is not free to leave the Capitol,” the lawsuit states. “This is a blatant attempt to intimidate and coerce her into complying with the Republican majority’s demands.”
The incident has sparked widespread outrage among Democrats, who see it as a chilling example of the Republican majority’s willingness to disregard the law and disregard the rights of their opponents. As the battle over redistricting continues to rage, it remains to be seen how far the Republicans will go to achieve their goals, and how the courts will respond to Collier’s lawsuit.
One thing is clear, however: the detention of Rep. Collier is a stark reminder of the deepening partisan divide in Texas and the willingness of the Republican majority to use any means necessary to maintain their power. As the people of Texas watch this drama unfold, they must ask themselves: is this really what democracy looks like?
Blue Press Journal 