Former President Barack Obama surfaced this week to praise Texas Democrats—not for doing their jobs, but for literally abandoning them. In a video call on August 14, 2025, Obama applauded a group of Texas House Democrats who skipped town rather than confront Republican-led redistricting reforms that could cost Democrats several House seats.

Obama, echoing the same tired rhetoric he’s peddled for years, claimed he was “grateful” for the lawmakers’ stunt, bizarrely framing their cowardice as an act of “courage.” According to Obama, fleeing Texas to hide from their responsibilities somehow set an example for “resisting” what he called an “assault on democracy.”

Of course, the reality couldn’t be more different. Republicans’ redistricting plans are about fair representation, ensuring population growth in Texas—fueled largely by conservative-leaning areas—is accurately reflected in Congress. But instead of staying to debate policy or stand up for their voters, Texas Democrats packed their bags and ran, just as they’ve done before.

During the call, Obama urged them to dig in further, declaring, *“We can’t let a systematic assault on democracy just happen and stand by.”* He went on to brag that because of their actions, “California \[is] responding” and other states are “looking at what they can do to offset this mid-decade gerrymandering.”

In other words: California Democrats are working overtime to protect Democrat power while Texas Republicans are simply trying to give Texans fair maps.

Obama, as usual, cast the battle in apocalyptic terms. He told the group they had helped lead what would be a “long struggle,” warning them that “we cannot take our freedoms and our democracy for granted.” He then praised them for “setting the tone” for ongoing resistance to the Trump administration. Yes, even out of office, the former president can’t resist turning every local issue into a campaign against Donald J. Trump.

Texas Rep. Gene Wu, one of the Democrats on the call, rushed to soak up Obama’s praise. Wu gushed to ABC News that the meeting proved Democrats weren’t alone in their fight. He even claimed that Republicans’ redistricting efforts were an “attack” on democracy everywhere. As if ensuring representation matches population growth is somehow voter suppression.

Wu also played the victim card, telling reporters the Democrats had to meet Obama “from an undisclosed location and via Zoom because of Republican threats and surveillance.” Translation: they’re hiding because Texas officials are prepared to enforce the law and compel them back to work.

And that’s exactly what will happen. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows reminded the public that any Democrat who returns will face civil arrest warrants. Burrows bluntly stated there would be no “peaceful weekend” for Democrats who try to shirk their duties.

Meanwhile, conservatives on social media mocked Obama’s fawning praise. Commentator Matt Van Swol summed it up perfectly: *“Running away isn’t honorable, brave, or Democratic. It’s just cowardly. That’s all it is.”*

Once again, Democrats prove they’d rather run and hide than do the jobs they were elected to do—while Obama cheers from the sidelines.