Texas Dem Flees Bathroom Video Conference Call When Informed She’s Committing a Felony [WATCH]

Texas Democratic state Rep. Nicole Collier abruptly left a virtual call with California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders after claiming she was told her participation from inside the state Capitol could constitute a felony.

Collier joined the meeting with Newsom, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, and other party members while the Texas House of Representatives was debating a redistricting bill backed by President Donald Trump.

During the call, Collier argued that the bill violated the Voting Rights Act, saying it would “prevent Black and Brown individuals from selecting the candidates of their choice because they’re cracking and packing these districts.”

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Roughly 30 minutes into the call, Collier interrupted Martin to announce she had to leave.

“Sorry, I have to leave. They said it’s a felony for me to do this,” she said.

Collier explained that she was not permitted to remain on the House floor or even in the bathroom during the meeting.

Turning off camera, she added, “You told me I was only allowed to be here in the bathroom,” before concluding, “No, hang on. Bye everybody. I’ve got to go.”

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Her sudden exit prompted immediate responses from other Democrats on the call.

Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey said, “That is outrageous. Let me tell you something, Rep. Collier in the bathroom has more dignity than Donald Trump in the Oval Office.”

Newsom responded, “There you go,” nodding in agreement.

Booker added, “What they’re trying to do right there is silence an American leader, silence a Black woman, and that is outrageous. What we just witnessed, them trying to shut her down and saying it’s illegal for her to be in the bathroom and on this call, this is the lengths that they’re going to in Texas.”

BREAKING: Texas State Rep. Nicole Collier gets THROWN-OUT of the BATHROOM at the State Capitol where she’s on a conference call with Corey Booker, Gavin Newsom, and Democrat Party leader, Ken Martin.

This is the state of the Democrat Party.. Conference calls in bathrooms… pic.twitter.com/l34eBrfVZE

— The Patriot Oasis™ (@ThePatriotOasis) August 20, 2025

The exchange occurred against the backdrop of ongoing Democratic resistance to the Texas redistricting plan.

Weeks earlier, dozens of Democratic lawmakers left the state for more than two weeks to block the measure by denying the House a quorum.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other state leaders ordered the absent lawmakers to be arrested if they did not return to conduct legislative business, warning they could also face removal from office.

Upon their return, Democrats were met with new security protocols designed to maintain quorum. Lawmakers reported that officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety monitored their movements throughout the Capitol, including standing guard outside their offices and following them when they left.

Some legislators said they were required to sign “permission slips” to leave the building and submit to surveillance.

Collier chose to remain on the House floor late into Monday night and Tuesday rather than comply with the restrictions.

My work here isn’t done. But my stay here is. #txlege pic.twitter.com/BHgn9D03hf

— Nicole Collier (@NicoleCollier95) August 21, 2025

Despite the ongoing dispute, the Texas House voted on Wednesday to approve new congressional maps.

In response, Newsom announced that California would push forward with its own redistricting plan to counter Texas’ legislation.

On Friday, California Democrats and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) released a new map that could eliminate five Republican congressional seats in California, potentially offsetting the five additional seats Republicans would gain under the Texas maps.

The parallel developments in Texas and California underscored the partisan battle over redistricting ahead of future elections, with both parties using state legislatures to shape congressional representation.