Ken Paxton Orders Raids of Latino Democrats’ Homes

Texas’ recent raids on Democratic politicians have ignited a storm of controversy.

At a Glance

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is calling for a Department of Justice investigation into raids on at least three of its members’ homes in Texas.
The raids were conducted by the Texas attorney general’s office as part of a voter fraud investigation.
No arrests have been made, and the details of the investigation remain unclear.
Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, stated that multiple search warrants were executed in Bexar, Frio, and Atascosa counties.
LULAC officials claim the raids were intended to intimidate those involved in voter registration.

Raids and Political Tensions

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office has conducted fraud raids targeting Democratic politicians’ homes, including those of three League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) members. The raids, part of a broader voter fraud investigation, have sparked intense public and political debate.

Raids were executed in Bexar, Frio, and Atascosa counties. Despite the high-profile nature of these actions, no arrests have been made, and the specifics of the allegations remain ambiguous. Paxton’s office has yet to provide detailed evidence justifying the raids.

Lidia Martinez, 87, a longtime community volunteer, had her home raided by nine officers who confiscated her laptop, planner, and cellphone. “I asked them why are you all doing this? And he said because there was fraud,” Martinez stated. “I said I’m not doing anything illegal. All I do is help the seniors.”

Accusations and Counterclaims

LULAC officials argue that the raids aim to intimidate those involved in voter registration. Lidia Martinez and other LULAC members impacted by the raids share a deep concern over this perceived targeting. LULAC President Roman Palomares critiqued the raids, stating, “They’re trying to intimidate our folks that are out registering people.”

Cecilia Castellano, a Democratic candidate for a state House seat, also had her home searched. Castellano criticized the raids, describing them as tactics used by the Republican party to create confusion and false allegations. “This is how the Republican party works. They cause confusion, false allegations and wasteful spending of our tax dollars,” Castellano asserted.

Political and Legal Reactions

Ken Paxton’s office emphasized its commitment to investigating credible reports of election fraud. Boasting a dedicated unit and significant budget, Paxton’s office has often been scrutinized for the few cases it has successfully closed. In 2021, Texas’s highest criminal court ruled that Paxton required an invitation from a local district attorney to pursue such cases.https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/27/ken-paxton-texas-home-raids-lulac-members

LULAC has requested the Department of Justice to investigate these raids as potential Voting Rights Act violations. The Justice Department has acknowledged receipt of this request but has not provided further comments.

Despite the unclear outcomes of the ongoing investigations, Paxton’s office insists on the high stakes of election integrity. The Texas Legislature will revisit election laws this session, with over 75 election-related bills prefiled. While Democrats advocate for expanded voting access, Republicans center their efforts on tightening election security.