This Is Not a Drill: When the FBI Hunts Lawmakers for Political Resistance...You’re in a Coup

The coup isn’t coming. It’s underway. And unless we treat it like a five-alarm fire, we lose everything.

This Is Not a Drill: When the FBI Hunts Lawmakers for Political Resistance…You’re in a Coup

The coup isn’t coming. It’s underway. And unless we treat it like a five-alarm fire, we lose everything.

The Jack Hopkins Now Newsletter #475: Thursday, August 7th, 2025. 12:10 PM CST.

I. The Line That’s Already Been Crossed

Imagine lawmakers exercising their constitutional right to deny quorum in protest. Instead of debate…the Governor calls the FBI to find them…and arrest them.

That’s exactly what happened in Texas when Democratic legislators fled the state to block a gerrymandered map designed to lock in Republican power.

That escalation isn't about enforcing law…it's about punishing dissent.

By turning law enforcement into a political hit squad, Abbott signals that resistance to authoritarian agendas won’t be tolerated. It’s chilling.

This isn't just political theater; it’s precedent-shattering.

If the federal government can go after state legislators for political resistance, there’s nothing stopping future governors…from either party…from weaponizing law enforcement against their opposition. That’s not hyperbole…it’s a future already written.

II. The Play-by-Play Authoritarian Escalation

• Over 50 Democratic lawmakers fled to blue states…Illinois…New York… Massachusetts…to break quorum.

• GOP Senator John Cornyn asked FBI Director Kash Patel to assist in locating “rogue” lawmakers accused of “fleeing their constitutional responsibilities.”

• Governor Abbott sued to have Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu removed from office under a dubious theory that absence equals forfeiture.

• Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker made clear: the lawmakers were protected and the FBI was not welcome to chase them.

• Legal experts warned: the FBI involvement exceeds federal jurisdiction, as the dispute is civil and local…no national crime has been committed.

A dramatic escalation made normal in a matter of hours.

Texas, long a testing ground for Trumpism…just showed us how rapidly political disputes can be transformed into federal manhunt scenarios. When the DOJ becomes political…democracy loses.

III. The Trumpification of the State

• Trump directly backed the push…calling on the FBI to intervene and declaring Republicans are “entitled” to more House seats.

• Cornyn publicly thanked Patel and Trump for “swift action,” reinforcing the message that federal might serves partisan ends now.

• This isn’t a red-state aberration…it’s a national test run.

• The message is clear: resist us…and you’ll be hunted.

By merging state coercion with federal power under the aegis of Trumpism…Texas has accelerated from norm erosion to authoritarian training ground.

If control of power trumps constitutional boundaries…then the rule of law is already defenseless.

IV. Slippery Slope = Authoritarian Fast-Track

What’s next if this precedent sticks?

• Dissent becomes an offense: Quorum protests…sit-ins…city council resistance…criminal acts.

• Protesters…journalists…and teachers could be tracked…identified…and forcibly removed.

• Legislators may think twice before standing up to power if it means jail time instead of a vote.

This is no slippery slope…it’s a fast track to suppressing democracy by training loyalists to enforce authoritarian whims at both state and federal levels.

V. Constitutional Emergency…And Nobody’s Declared It

This isn't Texas vs. Texas. It’s Texas plus DOJ vs. democracy.

Federal obedience to political demand dismantles separation of powers even faster than executive orders.

If this goes unchecked…any future governor aligned with Trumpism can weaponize the FBI to subvert democratic resistance. The social contract…service to the people…turns into service to power.

That’s not governance. It’s tyranny.

VI. The Media Is Ghosting the Real Story

Most coverage plays it like daily drama…“both sides dig in,” “stalemate continues.” Rarely do they call it what it is: an authoritarian test drive.

And that matters. Without clarity…public apathy grows…and bipartisan resistance evaporates fast. If traditional media won’t label it a coup-in-training…then we must. Here.

VII. Why This Matters—Nationally

This is Phase One of federalized political repression:

• Redistricting is weaponized; dissenters are illegal targets.

• FBI becomes partisan enforcer…not neutral protector.

• Next session: civil rights protests…voting access defenders…anti-gerrymandering groups…at risk of federal arrest orders.

We didn't just cross the Rubicon. We paved it. Now…every citizen is in the flashpoint.

VIII. What We Need to Do…First…Fast…Hard

1. Call on DOJ and FBI officers publicly: You swore to uphold the Constitution…not political tyranny.

2. National solidarity for Texas Democrats: donations…legal funds…media spotlights.

3. Mobilize civil society and Substackers: Make this story go viral…not “news fade.”

4. Support safe houses & symbol protests: Helpers aren’t criminals…lawmakers are.

5. Make this toxic precedent backfire: highlight it…shame it…weaponize their overreach against them.

They’ve turned democracy into a crime scene. Now the crime is against us…and defense is urgent.

IX. Rally Cry

You can’t save a democracy by watching it burn. You need to pour water…hard and hot…right now.

Because if we let the FBI chase lawmakers for doing their damn job…what’s next?

This naked authoritarian escalation will roll across red states…metastasize. But not while this platform stands. We raise hell…and democracy wins.

Keep your eyes open. In just a couple hours…another issue of JHN hits your inbox…this one’s about your healthcare. And trust me… you need to see it.

Back soon…

-Jack