The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - June 16, 2025

Episode Date: June 16, 2025

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Howdy folks, today is Monday, June 16th and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Assistant Editor Rob Lauschus and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, no King's protesters descended on the Texas state capitol this weekend to rally against President Donald Trump and his administration. Over five million people are estimated to have participated in these protests across the country over the weekend, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, one of the more than 100 organizing partners. Prior to the No King's protests, the Texas Department of Public Safety sent out a public announcement that a quote, credible threat had been made against the lives of state lawmakers.

Earlier last week, a Minnesota state representative and her husband were murdered at their home in what Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described as a politically motivated assassination. A Minnesota state senator and his wife were also shot, but survived. After a two-day pursuit, the suspect was captured and taken into custody. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick referenced the assassination in a statement about the targeting of Texas state lawmakers. On the same day, members of the Texas House and Senate Democratic caucuses sent letters to Abbott and DPS Director Freeman Martin, requesting dedicated resources for state lawmakers. Next, amid hundreds of anti-deportation and anti-President Donald Trump protests across

the nation this weekend, the Houston branch of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced on Friday that it had deported 528 illegal aliens and arrested 422 during a week-long operation. Houston ICE said that of the 422 arrested, 296 were criminal aliens,

convicted in other countries for charges including homicide, sexual exploitation of a minor, driving while intoxicated, robbery, assault, carrying prohibited weapons, arson, and possession of a controlled substance. Brett Bradford, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director, said in a press release announcing the deportations and arrests on Friday, quote, in recent years some of the world's most dangerous fugitives, transnational gang

members, and criminal aliens have taken advantage of the crisis at our nation's southern border to illegally enter the U.S. In other news, after a federal judge struck down Texas state laws granting in-state tuition to illegal aliens, a group has intervened on behalf of students impacted by the order. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund has filed a motion on behalf of students for affordable tuition. An association of students, quote, students without lawful immigration status who rely on paying reduced tuition rates to afford their education, end quote,

to allow this group to join the case so it can challenge the court's ruling in order to pursue an appeal on behalf of those affected. In early June, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it had filed a lawsuit against Texas, claiming that provisions of the Texas Education Code allowing illegal aliens to qualify for in-state tuition blatantly conflict with federal law. The challenged statutes were in reference to the Texas Dream Act passed in 2001,

which extended qualification for in-state tuition to non-citizen residents who lived in Texas for three years before graduating from high school, lived in Texas the year before enrolling at a university in the state, and signed an affidavit declaring their intention to apply for permanent residency. Just hours after the lawsuit was filed, the judge agreed with the DOJ complaint, which was assisted by Attorney General Ken Paxton filing a joint motion alongside the Trump administration, asking the court to rule in favor of the DOJ. Last but not least, the Supreme Court of Texas has issued an opinion covering the scope of the Texas Religious Services Clause and the extent to which it applies to governmental actions that directly prohibit

or limit religious services. In 2023, members of the Lapan Apache Native American Church sued the city of San Antonio, alleging that its actions have hindered their ability to perform religious ceremonies. Gary Perez and Matilda Torres were the two individuals who brought the case, presenting the justices with questions concerning religious practices and claiming that the city's plans to develop Brackenridge Park interfered with their ability to carry out religious ceremonies.

The case was first taken up in district court, then appealed to the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which concluded that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate a likelihood of their success on their claims under federal or state law. It was then sent to the Supreme Court to address unresolved issues under the Texas Constitution, which protects religious services from government interference. Thanks for listening. To support The Texan, please be sure to visit thetexan.news and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.