Several Republicans are opening the door to getting the FBI involved in forcing Texas Democrats to return to the state amid a protest over a congressional map the GOP wants to pass, which would potentially net them five additional seats in the 2026 midterms.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) wrote to FBI Director Kash Patel this week, urging the agency to help Republicans bring back Democrats to the Lone Star State. President Trump left open the possibility on Tuesday, saying “they may have to.”

The statements from Trump and Cornyn mark a remarkable escalation in an already heated redistricting battle that started in Texas and has since fanned out across the country. But the comments invoking the FBI’s assistance are raising questions around whether that’s even possible.

Here are five things to know about possible FBI involvement in the Texas redistricting battle:

Why are Republicans calling for FBI involvement?

Some Republicans are calling for the FBI’s involvement after Texas Democrats left the state beginning on Sunday to block Republicans from passing a new map that would offer the Texas GOP five additional pickup opportunities in the House.

Democrats broke quorum, meaning the minimum number of lawmakers needed to conduct legislative business, in an effort to stall passage of the maps in the state’s lower chamber. They left for states including New York and Illinois, which Republicans point out were also gerrymandered by........

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