Texas Senator Jolanda Jones issued an apology on Tuesday for her comments that likened the actions of Democrats fleeing the state to avoid a vote on a contentious congressional redistricting plan to the Holocaust.
Jones was one of the Texas House Democrats who departed the state on Monday. This decision came as a strategy to evade voting on a Republican-proposed Congressional District Map that could result in gaining five new GOP seats in the upcoming mid-term elections. The Democrats contend that this map would suppress minority voting.
In a discussion with former CNN host Don Lemon from a location in New York, Jones stressed the need to confront what she termed “racist” actions to prevent history from repeating itself, particularly in relation to the Holocaust.
She emphasized, “We’d better have the courage to stand up, otherwise we’d fall on anything,” warning that failing to confront injustice could lead to the loss of rights. Jones reflected on how the silence of well-meaning individuals during critical times can enable harm to society.
Later, she admitted that her comparison to the Holocaust was inappropriate, expressing regret for her previous remarks. She stated, “That was a mistake. Trump is here for my community.”
Texas Democrats had left the state in a dramatic show of dissent, unable to muster a quorum during a special session aimed at redistricting. Governor Greg Abbott’s spokesperson criticized Jones for her initial statements, characterizing the actions of the Democratic lawmakers as “anti-democratic.” He suggested that, unlike the Democrats, Abbott was committed to returning to the Capitol to achieve meaningful governance.
In her appearance with Lemon, Jones downplayed Republican arguments, suggesting that returning to Texas was imminent, and expressed her feelings about the struggle for civil rights, comparing it to historical protests. She said, “Now is our civil rights moment, people.”
The situation escalated as absent Democrats faced potential arrest. Texas House Speaker announced intentions to pursue arrest warrants for lawmakers who did not return, further stoking tensions between the parties.
