Texas AG Paxton’s “Leftist Terror” Crusade Is a Threat to Democracy

Attorney General Ken Paxton announced undercover operations to “infiltrate and uproot leftist terror cells” in Texas. In his statement, he called transgender people and their allies a “cancer on our culture” who have “unleashed their deranged and drugged-up foot soldiers.” This is not law enforcement. This is state-sanctioned persecution of citizens based on identity. Paxton cites recent violence to justify his operations. But his response doesn’t target violence. It targets ideology. He conflates an entire community with terrorism. Transgender Texans are not a threat. They are neighbors, coworkers, family members. Paxton’s language dehumanizes them and puts them at risk. This is not Paxton’s first abuse of power. He has attempted to remove elected officials he dislikes. He has weaponized his office to punish political opponents. He has used state resources to target communities based on who they are, not what they’ve done. A pattern this clear demands consequences. When officials label identity as terrorism, democracy fails. Paxton echoes the language of authoritarian regimes that criminalize difference and punish dissent. His oath requires him to serve all Texans. Instead, he declares war on some based on who they love or how they identify. Texas legislators have a constitutional duty to act. Paxton’s rhetoric violates his oath of office. I urge you to censure him immediately and pursue removal proceedings. Defend all Texans equally. Reject leaders who treat identity as a crime.