Democratic congressional candidate removed from Texas Capitol hearing

Tension boils Texas Capitol Thursday night, when the Democratic congressional candidate was forcibly removed and arrested at a turbulent redivision hearing.

Isaiah Martin Criticize Republicans Manipulate the redistricting process to appease President Donald Trump.

Videos from the hearing showed Martin collapsed when he was pulled out of the room by authorities.

“History won’t remember everything you did! It’s shameful!” he yelled, prompting the crowd to gasp. He was charged with resisting arrest, crime and vandalism of the open meeting.

Battle on the Red State Map intensifies when Trump pushes Texas to plan to reshape the congressional district

Martin is released All charges were dropped from Travis County Jail Friday. Later, he posted a video on X, thanking supporters and promising to continue speaking out.

Martin began his testimony on Thursday by challenging the legitimacy of the hearing.

“It seems like a lot of people are just sitting here for action, and that makes sense because the game is manipulated,” he said.

He then accused Gerrymandering, a Republican of Texas at Trump’s request.

“You have to get Trump’s approval. That’s the name of today’s Republicans,” Martin said. “Trump tells you everybody that he needs five seats. … But the real conversation we should have is… it’s going to be revenge on that.”

Martin quotes his claim that the Blue Country is re-drawing the map.

“Governor Kathy Hochul said she will kick Republicans out,” he said. “The same thing will happen in New Jersey.”

Martin also attacked Texas’ leadership on economic issues.

“We live in an unbearable state … property taxes are rising… even though you Republicans have been in office for 30 consecutive years,” he said.

Beto O’Rourke

Isaiah Martin, a Democratic candidate in Texas’ 18th Congressional District, was forcibly removed from office by the sheriff after refusing to surrender after criticizing Republican lawmakers and President Donald Trump during a re-division hearing in Austin on July 24, 2025. (Isaiah Martin) by Story

He criticized the timing of the rezoning process, adding: “After one of the worst mass casualties in our state’s history, you choose to go and drive people out of your seat.”

Rep. Cody Vasut, chairman of the House Representatives Committee, tried to regain order, but Martin refused to surrender.

“No, I won’t end. Because I…I’m not done yet!”

Martin then turned his anger to Trump.

“You can thank you for your failure, old age, shabby, Epstein worked with the president to do all the work that each of us has to do,” he said. “You did that, you caused this, and it’s the result of you and your work.”

Vasut directed the State Council Sergeant to evacuate Martin. As Martin dragged it away from the room, the audience shouted, “Get out!”

Martin continued to shout, “The United States will object to you!”

The committee resumed without comments interrupted.

The Texas Capitol is located in Austin and Isaiah Martin was arrested Thursday for refusing to surrender. (Brendan Bell/Getty Image)

Martin’s campaign is not Governor Greg AbbottThe office responded to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Abbott had previously described the re-division efforts as compliance following a court ruling against the Union District.

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In the letter quoted on July 7 Dallas Reviewerthe Justice Department labeled TX −18 as one of the four congressional districts in Texas, which may involve unconstitutional racial planning through the “joint district” configuration.

Trump publicly called on state lawmakers to secure five Republican House seats through a re-division.

The map is not yet completed, with hearings held in Houston on Saturday and in Arlington on Monday.

Paul Steinhauser of Fox News contributed to the report.