The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - November 19, 2025

Starting point is 00:00:00 Howdy, folks, today is Wednesday, November 19th, and you're listening to The Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans assistant editor Rob Laus, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jerry Smith issued a scathing dissent Wednesday against the federal judicial panel ruling that blocked Texas' new congressional. map from going into effect for 2026, calling it the most outrageous conduct by a judge that he has ever encountered in a case in which he has been involved. The 104-page dissent opposes both the merits of the majority's ruling, which found that Texas Republicans illegitimately considered race in the mid-decade redraw intended to pick up five seats next year in Congress, along with the conduct of Judge Jeff Brown, who authored the majority opinion released on Tuesday. It was released

Starting point is 00:01:02 without Smith's dissent, as he argued that the majority did not give him sufficient notice and time to have it ready for the planned release day. Smith stated in the dissent, quote, the main winners from Judge Brown's opinion are George Soros and Gavin Newsom. The obvious losers are the people of Texas and the rule of law. I dissent. Next, a federal grant. jury indicted nine alleged North Texas Antifa cell operatives last week on charges including rioting, providing material support to terrorists, and attempted murder in connection with the July 4th attack on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Facility in Alvarado. Seven additional individuals were also charged with providing material support.

Starting point is 00:01:50 Acting U.S. attorney Nancy E. Larson stated, quote, this is the first indictment in the country against a group of violent antifa cell members. She continued, quote, the charges the grand jury has leveled against these defendants, including material support for terrorists, address the vicious attack perpetrated by an anti-ice, anti-law enforcement, anti-government anarchist group. In other news, Governor Greg Abbott is calling for investigations into, quote, entities purporting to illegally enforce Sharia law in Texas. In a letter issued Wednesday, Abbott details entities in Colin and Dallas counties that, quote, may be masquerading as legal courts staffed with judges

Starting point is 00:02:35 issuing orders that purportedly carry the authority to bind individuals to Islamic codes, thereby preempting state and federal laws. Abbot identified the Islamic tribunal in Dallas, which he said, quote, purports to exercise jurisdiction over all aspects of life, even over non-eclesiastical legal disputes, and subject them to Islamic jurisprudence and its Sharia or law. The Islamic Tribunal has operated since at least 2015. Abbott addressed the letter to district attorneys and sheriffs in both Dallas and Colin counties, in addition to Attorney General Ken Paxton and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Freeman Martin. Also, the state of Texas is suing both Round Rock and Leander Independent School Districts for their alleged failure to comply with a new law requiring the

Starting point is 00:03:28 display of donated copies of the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed suit against Round Rock and Leander ISDs and their respective boards of trustees on Thursday, November 13th, pursuing injunctive relief in order to require them to immediately, obey the law. State Senator Phil King's Senate Bill 10, which requires public schools to display copies of the King James Bible version of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, if donated by an outside source, was passed during the 89th regular legislative session and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20th. Within the suit, Paxton alleged that both ISDs had received donated copies of the Ten Commandments that met the new law's standards, but refused to. to display them. Last but not least, after public concerns were raised regarding illegal immigrants registering their vehicles in Texas, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles has issued a directive

Starting point is 00:04:28 to ensure compliance with state law. A bulletin from Vehicle Titles and Registration Division Director Annette Quintero outlines clarified identification requirements for both initial motor vehicle registrations and renewals. It also explicitly states that, quote, An applicant for initial registration or renewal must present certain photo identification. Additionally, the guidance also instructs counties and dealers to ensure compliance by stating that,

Starting point is 00:04:58 quote, expired passports are not acceptable for motor vehicle registration. Sources familiar with the plan told the Texan that there will be a rapid and aggressive enforcement of this initiative. Thanks for listening. To support the Texan, please be sure to visit the Texan. News and subscribe. to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - November 19, 2025

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