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Texas redistricting hearing descends into chaos
Isaiah Martin, a Democrat running in the 18th Congressional District in Houston, had to be restrained and removed from Thursday’s House committee hearing on redistricting after exceeding his time to testify. (Isaiah Martin via Storyful)
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Tensions boiled over at the Texas Capitol Thursday night, when a Democratic congressional candidate was forcibly removed and arrested during a volatile redistricting hearing.
Isaiah Martin, running for Houston’s 18th Congressional District, defied repeated warnings to stop speaking after testimony accusing Republicans of rigging the redistricting process to appease President Donald Trump.
Footage from the hearing shows Martin collapsing as he was pulled from the room by authorities.
“History will NOT remember you for what you have DONE! It is a shame!” he yelled, prompting audible gasps from the crowd. He was charged with resisting arrest, criminal trespass and disrupting a public meeting.
RED STATE MAP BATTLE HEATS UP AS TRUMP PUSHES TEXAS PLAN TO RESHAPE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS
Isaiah Martin, center, a Democratic candidate for Texas’ 18th Congressional District, is confronted by sergeants during a redistricting hearing at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Thursday, after refusing to yield during a heated exchange with Republican lawmakers. (Texas House)
Martin was released from the Travis County Jail Friday, and all charges were dropped. He later posted a video on X thanking supporters and pledging to continue speaking out.
Martin began his testimony Thursday by challenging the legitimacy of the hearing.
“It just seems as if many are just sitting here going with their motions, and it makes sense because the game is rigged,” he said.
He then accused Texas Republicans of gerrymandering at Trump’s request.
“You gotta get Trump’s endorsement. That’s the name of the game to be a Republican nowadays,” Martin said. “Trump told every…
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