This past weekend in Texas, Beto O’Rourke addressed an enthusiastic crowd, making a bold statement about the Democratic Party’s determination to reclaim power, declaring, “f**k the rules.”
He asserted that Democrats would engage in redistricting in blue states as a countermeasure to the actions taken by Texas Republicans. Though it seems O’Rourke might be unaware that Democrats have already been actively gerrymandering for years, leaving them with little to manipulate further.
Additionally, he indicated that should Democrats return to power, they would swiftly enact amnesty for undocumented immigrants—a telling remark that raises eyebrows about party priorities.
CBS News provides coverage of the event:
Beto O’Rourke’s redistricting rally draws crowd in Fort Worth as Texas legal fight escalates
The ongoing battle over Texas redistricting became more intense as Fort Worth hosted a rally featuring former U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke on Saturday afternoon.
Over 200 individuals gathered at the Ridglea Theater for a rally focused on the ramifications—both legal and political—stemming from Democratic lawmakers’ decision to flee Texas to thwart a Republican-supported redistricting initiative. The Texas House once again failed to achieve a quorum on Friday, effectively stalling any votes on new congressional maps, while GOP officials contemplate measures to expel the absent Democrats or pursue civil arrests.
O’Rourke responded to a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, which aimed to prevent him and his political action committee from providing financial support to the absent Democratic legislators. “He thinks we’re going to take it right here,” O’Rourke proclaimed. “But he doesn’t understand – in Texas, our knees do not bend.”
A clip from the event captures O’Rourke’s sentiment:
“F**k the rules, we are going to win whatever it takes.” – Beto O’Rourke, a candidate who seems to have mastered the art of losing elections
pic.twitter.com/QJm2nd9hae— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) August 9, 2025
In another notable moment, O’Rourke discussed the issue of amnesty:
Democrats are aware that public sentiment leans toward deportations and stricter immigration control, yet they continue to campaign on the message of “let everyone in and grant citizenship.”
What a gift to us for the midterms. Thanks, Beto! pic.twitter.com/vPbSGPTTkC— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) August 9, 2025
It’s quite the spectacle to witness O’Rourke and his fellow Democrats act as if they are newcomers to the game of redistricting and gerrymandering, despite years of practice under their belts.
