Judge halts Texas law that would allow police to arrest, deport illegal immigrants — claims Biden hasn’t ‘abandoned’ border



A Texas federal judge on Thursday placed a preliminary injunction on a new Texas law that would allow local authorities to arrest and deport immigrants who enter the state illegally.

What's the background?

Senate Bill 4, signed into law in December by Republican Governor Greg Abbott, would make illegally crossing the southern border into Texas a class B misdemeanor. Local law enforcement officials would have the authority from the state to arrest, detain, prosecute, and even deport illegal immigrants. Individuals who refuse to leave could be charged with a second-degree felony and face up to 20 years in prison. Those caught smuggling illegal immigrants into the state could be sentenced to at least 10 years in prison.

Abbott hoped to address the state's immigrant crisis by "crack[ing] down on repeated attempts to enter Texas by creating the offense of illegal reentry and penalizes offenders," according to a December press release from his office. The governor accused the president of refusing to enforce the country's immigration laws and prompting an invasion.

Shortly after signing the bill, the Biden administration sued Texas, claiming the law "is preempted and violates the United States Constitution." The Department of Justice contended that Senate Bill 4 "intrudes into a field that is occupied by the federal government" and "conflicts with various provisions of the [Immigration and Nationality Act]."

Renae Eze, a spokesperson for Abbott, stated that the governor's administration is prepared to take the legal battle "all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court."

Judge blocks SB 4

U.S. District Judge David Ezra, appointed by former President Ronald Reagan, granted an injunction on Thursday, preventing the new law from taking effect while the case is being reviewed.

In Ezra's 114-page ruling, he rejected Texas' claims that the Biden administration has failed to enforce federal immigration laws.

"The Court is sympathetic to Texas's concerns at the border, but to say that the Biden Administration has 'abandoned' the field of immigration is to take hyperbolic criticism literally," he wrote. "Contrary to Texas's position, the record is replete with examples and evidence of the federal government carrying out its immigration duties."

"Texas may disagree with diplomatic efforts or contest their effectiveness, but it cannot maintain in good faith that those efforts constitute 'abandonment,'" Ezra declared, accusing Texas of confusing "the figurative for the literal."

The federal judge claimed that the state "is unlikely to succeed on the merits." Ezra claimed that if Texas wins the lawsuit and its new law is enforced, the federal government "will suffer grave irreparable harm."

"If allowed to proceed, SB 4 could open the door to each state passing its own version of immigration laws," he stated. "The effect would moot the uniform regulation of immigration throughout the country and force the federal government to navigate a patchwork of inconsistent regulations. SB 4 threatens the fundamental notion that the United States must regulate immigration with one voice."

Abbott responded to the judge's decision on Thursday, noting that the preliminary injunction "was fully expected."

"Texas will immediately appeal this decision, and we will not back down in our fight to protect our state—and our nation—from President Biden's border crisis. The President of the United States has a constitutional duty to enforce federal laws protecting States, including laws already on the books that mandate the detention of illegal immigrants. Texas has the right to defend itself because of President Biden's ongoing failure to fulfill his duty to protect our state from the invasion at our southern border. Even from the bench, this District Judge acknowledged that this case will ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court," Abbott stated.

Update: This ruling against #SB4 has been appealed to the Fifth Circuit by the State of Texas. #txlege
— (@)

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George Soros pumped over $2 million into Texas Democratic Party and PACs in second half of 2023



Left-wing political backer and billionaire George Soros was revealed to have donated millions to Democratic Party entities in Texas throughout the latter half of 2023.

The Texas Majority PAC and several Democrat county parties took money from Soros between August-December 2023, with the PAC reportedly run by former members of Robert "Beto" O'Rourke's 2022 campaign, according to the Texas Tribune.

On the receiving end of the Soros funds were Democratic Party affiliates in Cameron, Dallas, and Hidalgo, Texas. Along with some regional PACs, Soros also gave a reported $1 million to the Texas Majority PAC in August 2023, and another $400,000 in October 2023.

Officially, the contributions were intended to help entities register, contact, and support voter turnout "on a scale never seen before, year after year, in the key regions" of Texas, the PAC’s deputy executive director, Katherine Fischer, reportedly said.

"We need millions of more dollars and hundreds of more full-time staff to do this," Fischer continued. "Texas Majority PAC works with partners across the state to create the conditions that will make flipping the state possible."

Fischer was the organizing director for O'Rourke's gubernatorial campaign. Jason Lee, O'Rourke's deputy campaign manager, is also working in the Texas Majority PAC. They are joined by Crystal Zermeño, a former staffer for the Texas Organizing Project, an group that also received at least $250,000 from Soros in 2023.

Yet another O'Rourke staffer, 2022 campaign manager Nick Rathod, was credited for helping organize the Texas Majority PAC.

George Soros contributed $2.6M total to Democratic groups during the latest TEC period (July-December). Our story from last week on what's getting him more involved: https://t.co/jNufOJbRL4 #txlege
— (@)

Cameron County Democratic Chair Jared Hockema reportedly praised Soros, citing him as a Holocaust survivor while noting that Republicans too have relied on big, out-of-state donors.

"George Soros is a person who knows what’s at stake in the election we face," Hockema said. He knows the "specter of authoritarianism and fascism," he added.

Executive director for the Texas Democratic Party, Monique Alcala, told the Texas Tribune that the party "welcomes any new investments and efforts that collectively achieve the ambitious goals of keeping Joe Biden in the White House."

She also said she hoped to send "Ted Cruz packing" while "electing more Texas Democrats up and down the ballot."

"With a state as big as Texas, there is no time or dollar to waste, and we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work," Alcala explained.

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Texas speaker of the House slurs his speech, struggles to identify colleague during awkward legislative meeting: Video



The speaker of the House in the state of Texas had difficulty performing his ceremonial duties during a recent legislative session, sparking questions about possible public intoxication or perhaps even a serious medical episode.

On Friday evening, Speaker Dade Phelan, a Republican representing portions of Jasper, Jefferson, and Orange Counties, took to the dais at the state House in Austin to conduct his usual responsibilities: maintaining order, recognizing colleagues who wish to speak, and banging a gavel at appropriate moments. However, Phelan appeared to be out of sorts that night, repeating himself, slurring his words, and even misidentifying a female representative as a male colleague. A clip of the meeting quickly went viral on social media:

\u201cThis is video from last night in the Texas House of Representatives where it appears that TX House Speaker Dade Phelan is either really drunk or having a stroke.\u201d
— Greg Price (@Greg Price) 1684626753

Mediaite attempted to transcribe the video with the help of an online tool, and the resulting transcription is just as confusing as the video. It also does not convey the uncomfortably long pause between when the gavel sounded and when Phelan attempted to identify Rep. Victoria Neave Criado, a Democrat from Mesquite:

PHELAN: Mr. Kuempel, the Senate amendat — the amendment is [inaudible] is the objection to the opposite amendment, and the [inaudible] amendat — amendment is adopted. (Bangs gavel) The chair recognizes Mr. — Mr. Johnson of Harris? Mr. Johnson of Harris to speak in opposition to…the bill.
UNKNOWN: It’s Ms. Neave Criado.
PHELAN: The chair recognizes Ms. Neave Criado to speak in opposition to the bill.

As of Monday afternoon, the video had already garnered 1.5 million views on Twitter, with many users drawing their own conclusions about why a seemingly healthy 47-year-old man would have such difficulty speaking coherently.

"Ummmmm… Could You Repeat That For The Sober People In The Back," wrote one user. "Yikes Dude."

"Nancy was like that," joked another, referencing former U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). "Must be a Speaker thing."

However, one of Phelan's former Republican colleagues in the state House, Jonathan Strickland, issued a much more scathing rebuke in response to the video. "Anyone who watches the #txlege House knows many of the members are regularly intoxicated," tweeted Strickland, who now identifies as a "recovering politician." "Watching the Speaker be this wasted is absolutely unacceptable. These Representatives are making laws that impact 30 million Texans. It must stop."

Though most blamed Phelan's behavior on alcohol or some other kind of intoxicant, still others expressed concern that a medical issue, perhaps even a stroke, was the cause. "That looks neurological to me, not drunk," insisted a user who goes by the name Happy Sandwich.

"Yes, you can have a stroke and not really even know it," Happy Sandwich commented elsewhere.

Phelan's Capitol office did not respond to TheBlaze's request for comment. His district office denied knowledge of the video and directed all questions to his Capitol office.

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What is a woman? Texas Democrat says anyone who tells him they are a woman is a woman



A Democratic state lawmaker in Texas offered a circular answer when pressed to define the word "woman."

"What is a woman?" GOP state Rep. Matt Schaefer asked Democratic state Rep. John Bucy.

"When a woman tells me they're a woman I know they're a woman" Bucy said, noting that he trusts them to provide him with the answer.

Schaefer pressed the issue, asking Bucy if he could "define a woman."

But Bucy doubled down by declaring that when someone tells him that they are a woman "then they're a woman."

Schaefer did not give up, but continued pressing for an actual answer.

"Mr. Bucy can you define it without using the word?" he asked, noting that saying "a woman is a woman is not a definition."

"I'm asking you to define the term without using the word," Schaefer explained.

Bucy responded by saying he trusts Schaefer and others on the floor to tell him their gender, or to not tell him as it is not his business.

\u201c. @RepMattSchaefer: \u201cWhat is a woman?\u201d\nBucy: \u201cAnyone who claims to be one.\u201d\nStunning display of nihilism. #SB15 #txlege\u201d
— Texas Freedom Caucus (@Texas Freedom Caucus) 1684352981

"Hilarious to listen to folks twist into knots when asked these simple Qs," Southlake, Texas, Mayor John Huffman tweeted in response to the video clip of the exchange. "This Dem rep knows exactly what a woman is - but he can’t say it b/c he’a scared of the trans ideologues in his base. Come on, my guy. A political party that can’t define a woman isn't one worth being in."

"It's crazy to think that in such a short time Dems in #txlege have become so extreme that even their rank and file members are openly arguing that a man is a woman just because he says he is. It'd be funny if it weren't so insane," Brian Phillips of the Texas Public Policy Foundation tweeted.

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Got kids? Texas state rep proposes 100% property tax credit for married, opposite-sex couples with 10 children



Texas state Rep. Bryan Slaton, a Republican, has put forward a proposal to provide a property tax credit to married, opposite-sex couples, with up to a 100% credit for couples with enough kids.

The proposal would offer a 10% property tax credit to eligible married couples — the measure defines a "Qualifying married couple" as "a man and a woman who are legally married to each other, neither of whom have ever been divorced."

Spouses with four qualifying children, whether biological or adopted, would be eligible for a 40% tax credit, while couples with five kids would get a 50% credit, couples with six kids would get a 60% credit, etcetera — couples with 10 or more qualifying kids would be eligible for a 100% credit.

Widows and widowers would be able to continue getting the tax break after their spouse's death, as long as they remain unmarried.

"If one spouse of a qualifying married couple that is entitled to a credit under this section dies, the surviving spouse is entitled to receive the credit authorized by this section for as long as the surviving spouse remains unmarried," the bill states.

Even if the measure were to pass, there appears to be an additional hurdle — the text of the bill indicates that the measure would only be able to take effect if a proposed constitutional amendment is approved by voters.

"With this bill, Texas will start saying to couples: 'Get married, stay married, and be fruitful and multiply,'" Slaton said, according to a press release. "Supporting Texas means supporting Texas families. Strong families are the backbone and building blocks of society. We must support families by making it financially easier for them to have and raise children in a supportive and nurturing way."

\u201cSupporting Texas means supporting Texas families. Families are the building blocks of society. We must support families by making it easier for them to have and raise kids\n\nWith HB 2889, Texas will start saying: "Get married, stay married, and be fruitful and multiply." #txlege\u201d
— Bryan Slaton (@Bryan Slaton) 1677612038

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Horowitz: Study shows electric vehicles are a scam propped up by government



With the exception of the COVID shots, there is perhaps nothing in the economy that has gotten more tailwind in terms of government support than electric vehicles. Whether it’s the subsidies, the mandates, the inflation of the cost of gasoline, or the construction of cumbersome electric charging infrastructure, the government has done everything it can to turn a product that is inherently costly and impractical into something accessible to the public. Yet despite it all, a new study shows fueling these cars is more expensive than most gas-powered cars, even with record high gasoline prices, which were induced by policies from the same green energy. Now is the time to end all subsidies and mandates on behalf of this pathetic industry.

It’s truly hard to quantify the degree to which government has propped up green energy and products that never would have gotten off the ground in the free market. Between making gasoline so expensive and making gas cars more expensive with fuel efficiency mandates on the one hand, and subsidizing electric vehicles and all their required infrastructure on the other hand, electric cars have every reason to succeed. Heck, all blue states are even signaling the end of gas-powered cars altogether, and some are even mandating it. The subsidies reached a tipping point with the “Inflation Reduction Act,” which offers a subsidy of $7,500 per electric vehicle. But a new study shows that it still costs more to fuel an EV after spending so much more for the original purchase.

“Typical mid-priced ICE car drivers paid about $11.29 to fuel their vehicles for 100 miles of driving,” concluded a study from consulting firm Anderson Economic Group. “That cost was around $0.31 cheaper than the amount paid by mid-priced EV drivers charging mostly at home, and over $3 less than the cost borne by comparable EV drivers charging commercially.”

Oh, and let’s not forget that time is money. You have to spend an average of $18 per charge and spend 15 minutes per 100 miles traveled. Good luck on your family road trip this summer with the baby screaming in the car who was woken up after finally taking a nap, thanks to the incessant need to stop.

The only benefit the Michigan-based consulting firm found to fueling EVs over traditional cars was, of course, among the high-end luxury cars used by the elites promoting these products.

This is astounding given the record-high gas prices this past year, especially for winter months. This means that even after spending more money for the purchase of an EV, you are saddling yourself with a boondoggle to maintain. The problem for the parasitic, venture socialist industry is that the very regressive green policies that are harming the oil and car industries are doing even more damage to the electric grid. Thanks to the war on coal, oil refineries, and pipelines and the stagnation of nuclear energy by the same radical eco groups, electricity prices are skyrocketing even more than gasoline. All that “investment” in solar and wind is not there for us during our time of need. Now we face the prospect of electric grid failures more acutely than even oil and gas shortages.

Just consider what would happen during these heat waves if we only had electric vehicles. California grid operators warned people during last summer’s heat wave to ease off charging their cars. Now imagine if they had their way and 100% of cars were electric and 100% of the electricity was generated from wind and solar. Well, you’d be stuck at home … which is exactly how they want it.

Biden’s signature legislation last year handed out over $50 billion to the electric vehicle industry, including $7.7 billion for EV charging stations and $10.3 billion in grid and battery subsidies. But just like money can’t buy you love, it also can’t buy you efficacy, efficiency, or safety. Despite all of the corporate welfare for green energy, it’s still natural fuels from the earth that are holding up Texas’s grid during this cold spell and ice storm in the northern part of the state.

\u201cTexas Grid Snapshot\u2026 yet 8 out of 10 new projects are wind and solar \n\nWe must change that. #txlege \n\nWe\u2019ll fight federal subsidies.\u201d
— Chip Roy (@Chip Roy) 1675209997

What was powering northern Texas during the ice storm? As the Energy Information Administration data shows, natural gas was the star player while wind collapsed, despite Texas throwing tens of billions of dollars at it.

As for efficiency, a 2021 study shows that even if EVs were more economical post-purchase in terms of fueling per mile, there are fewer miles to monetize those returns. According to the paper from the Bureau of Economic Research, the average family EV only racked up 5,300 miles per year, less than half the 13,476 miles per year driven by normal privately owned cars. Thus, the savings in operating these cars was always a mirage because they are just driven less. They could never possibly replace internal combustion vehicles, just like wind and solar cannot replace oil, gas, and coal for electricity and fuel. Yet the government has mandated automobile manufacturers to quadruple the market share of EVs in their fleets.

Then, of course, there is the issue of safety. Recently, it was found that during Hurricane Ian, electric vehicles caught in the storm surge in southwest Florida were suddenly exploding. DeWalt’s new no-turn electric mower also seems to have problems, as one model caught fire on the opening day of Equip Expo 2022. These are the sorts of issues that are worked out when a product has to rise or fall in the free market without a permanent guarantee of income. But with endless subsidies, we can only imagine the economic and societal problems from an EV-only road show.

Moreover, what this all demonstrates is that EVs were never meant to replace traditional cars to fulfill our needs and standard of living. They are serving as a Trojan horse to break our standard of living so that we will “own nothing and be happy,” as the WEF officials like to say. They want us to pay a fortune for cars and then barely be able to drive them because of the cost of electricity that they are concomitantly and artificially increasing thanks to other global warming regulations and market distortions.

Oh, and of course, no action taken against our prosperity, liberty, and mobility is complete unless it helps China. We all know China controls 76% of global EV battery production, and the nickel, cobalt, and lithium used to produce these batteries are all produced abroad. So now we are subsidizing China and other bad actors to make the rope that hangs our economy, which is pretty much in line with every other government policy. All they need now is to absolve these companies of product liability, and they will be just like the COVID shots.

So why do Republican governors continue to service the electric vehicle scam? Why do they continue to place the boot of government on the scale toward these loser vehicles? The time has come for red states to completely divest from the green energy scam.

Texas school kids to receive DNA and fingerprinting kits in case of emergencies, but critics claim kits are meant to help ID remains in case of another Uvalde-like shooting



So-called "child identification" kits will soon be distributed to all Texas public school and open-enrollment charter school students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The law states that the purpose of the kits is to help local and federal law enforcement locate "missing or trafficked" children, but critics believe that the kits are instead intended to help investigators identify human remains in the event of another school shooting.

The kits provide a means for parents or guardians to collect DNA samples and fingerprints from their children. The kit also calls for a current photo. Those parents and guardians wishing to utilize the free kit may then keep it in their possession in case an emergency arises.

The same kits cost $9.95 at the National Child Identification Program website, and participation in the program is entirely voluntary. Kits are sent home in accordance with a law passed in 2021, though similar kits were also distributed in fall 2000 and 2006/2007 with little public backlash.

Now in 2022, some concerned parents have speculated that schools are sending the kits home once again after two horrific school shootings occurred within the state in recent years. In 2018, a school shooting at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, about an hour south of Houston, left eight students and two teachers dead. Then just five months ago, a maniac managed to murder 19 fourth graders and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, before a Border Patrol agent breached the door and shot him to death.

"It was almost like the state just throwing their hands up and saying, 'We can't do anything about the guns. We're not going to change any of the laws. So, therefore, the next best thing is to make sure that we can identify your K through eighth grader if they are killed in any type of school incident,'" Clear Creek Independent School District parent Anthony Crutch said. "When I receive them, we're going to complete the kit and store it in the cabinet and pray to God nothing happens."

Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, appeared to agree, tweeting, "Texas Gov Greg Abbott is choosing to send DNA kits to schools that parents can use to identify their children’s bodies AFTER they’ve been murdered rather than pass gun safety laws to proactively protect their lives."

\u201cTexas Gov Greg Abbott is choosing to send DNA kits to schools that parents can use to identify their children\u2019s bodies AFTER they\u2019ve been murdered rather than pass gun safety laws to proactively protect their lives.\n\nVote @BetoORourke #txgov #txlege \nhttps://t.co/lnZQcUoNlt\u201d
— Shannon Watts (@Shannon Watts) 1666015405

Fox News reported that approximately 4 million students are expected to receive the kits, which will be issued through the Texas Education Agency.

'Stand up for children's innocence': Texas comptroller investigating June drag event involving children



Republican state Rep. Bryan Slaton of Texas followed through on a June 6 pledge to address the subjection of children subjected to "inappropriate sexual content by adults," in response to an event he deemed "horrifying" and demonstrative of a "disturbing trend in which perverted adults are obsessed with sexualizing children."

The event that prompted Slaton to take action took place on June 4 at the Dallas gay bar Mr. Misster.

In a daytime transvestite event entitled “Drag the kids to pride,” children were invited to join performers on stage. Transvestites danced with and for the kids in attendance. Inside the bar was a neon sign that said “It’s not going to lick itself” and “I licked it so it’s mine.”

\u201cChildren are invited on stage and walk with the Drag Queens\u201d
— Tayler Hansen \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Tayler Hansen \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1654365128

Protesters gathered outside, including members of the organization Protect Texas Kids, who seek to combat the “toxic, indoctrinating agenda of the left.” One sign read “Stop grooming the kids.” Another read "confuse a child, abuse a child."

A protester named Dasy told WFAA, “I don’t believe that I should be seeing signs advertising for children to be dancing on stage with men in thongs and in inappropriate clothing and makeup.”

Organizers of the event released a statement accusing the protesters of “yelling homophobic threats, transphobic remarks and vile accusations at these children and parents.”

Queerty highlighted comments made by one of the transvestites involved in the event, who wrote: "The children of today are our future & they will continue to break down these stereotypical, heteronormativity barriers that uneducated swines like you normalize. Drag queens and the gay culture is as main stream as it has ever been. And we're just going to keep pushing forward."

Following the event, Slaton pledged to introduce a bill barring minors from drag shows and also urged Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar to hold the organizers of the Mr. Misster event accountable, suggesting that they had violated Chapter 102 of the Texas Business Code prohibiting minors from being present at sexually explicit events. The code states: "A sexually oriented business may not allow an individual younger than 18 years of age to enter the premises of a business."

\u201cDrag shows are no place for a child. \n\nToday I\u2019m calling in @Glenn_Hegar to do what he can to enforce existing law and protect Texas kids while I work with my colleagues in the Texas Legislature.\n\nWe must protect Texas kids from sick adults who want to sexualize them. #txlege\u201d
— Bryan Slaton (@Bryan Slaton) 1659654546

On August 4, Slaton suggested that "Hegar can hold the organizers responsible today ... to protect Texas families and ensure all business are following the law."

The next day, Hegar announced that his office "had already begun the process of investigating this specific event." In his statement, Hegar noted that "the images [of the event] circulating are certainly inconsistent with our Texas values."

Upon learning that the requested investigation was under way, Slaton thanked Hegar on August 8 "for demonstrating strong leadership on this important issue." He suggested further that "Texans deserve elected officials who will stand up for our children's innocence ... Texas should not tolerate the sexualization and exploitation of children."

Texas state lawmaker says he will propose bill to protect children from being exposed to drag queen performances



Texas state Rep. Bryan Slaton has pledged to put forward legislation to protect children from being exposed to drag queen performances.

On Saturday, the Mr. Misster bar in Dallas held a drag event that had been advertised as "fit for guests of all ages." Disturbing video footage shows that children were present at the event.

"Mr. Misster's Drag The Kids To Pride Drag Show provides the ultimate family friendly pride experience. This signature event is a family friendly spin off of our famed Champagne Drag Brunch, with our resident DJ Charlie Phresh playing some of your favorite hits while host Nicole O'Hara Munro brings together some of the best drag entertainers around!" a description on Eventbrite stated.

In a statement, Slaton said, "The events of this past weekend were horrifying and show a disturbing trend in which perverted adults are obsessed with sexualizing young children. As a father of two young children, I would never take my children to a drag show and I know [Texas House] Speaker Dade Phelan and the rest of my Republican colleagues wouldn't either. Protecting our own children isn't enough, and our responsibility as lawmakers extends to the sexualization that is happening across Texas."

"I promised my voters that I would stand up for their values and fight to protect Texas kids. I was re-elected on that promise and I intend to keep it by authoring legislation to defend kids from being subjected to drag shows and other inappropriate events. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this important legislation," Slaton said.

Democratic state Rep. Jessica González responded on Twitter, taking issue with the proposal and calling for gun control.

"This isn't about protecting children, it's about further censoring the LGBTQ+ community and taking more rights away from parents. Let's actually protect children by passing common-sense gun control," González tweeted.

\u201cThis isn't about protecting children, it's about further censoring the LGBTQ+ community and taking more rights away from parents. \n \nLet's actually protect children by passing common-sense gun control. #txlege\u201d
— Jessica Gonz\u00e1lez (@Jessica Gonz\u00e1lez) 1654541378

Last month, a deadly shooting perpetrated at a school in Uvalde, Texas, left 19 children and two teachers dead.

"It's sad that this is an apparent priority in a state where 19 children were just murdered," NBC Los Angeles reporter Alex Rozier tweeted in response to Slaton's post.

EA stands firm against staff pressure to publicly support abortion, trans rights — tells disgruntled employees to make a 'positive impact' by doing their jobs



Famous video game maker Electronic Arts (EA) has reportedly refused to join a flurry of other companies in issuing public statements in support of abortion and transgender rights, telling staff during a company-wide meeting this week that "being an inclusive company means being inclusive of all those points of view."

According to gaming outlet Kotaku, EA's chief people officer, Mala Singh, also told employees that the company has determined only to speak out if a public statement will "actually have a positive impact" and that such a stance has remained a "consistent perspective" for the company.

The May 24 town hall-style meeting reportedly featured wide-ranging discussions between executives and staff, including plans for upcoming games, corporate strategy, and pay raises. But many employees also used the time to call on the company to make public statements in support of abortion and transgender rights.

The political issues apparently were heavy on the minds of some, given recent political developments, including a leaked draft opinion indicating the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade and Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's orders to investigate youth sex-change procedures as child abuse.

But in response to the pressure, EA stood firm and essentially instructed staff to take action — by doing their jobs.

"The thing about the world today is there is a lot of division, we know this, right, we see it every single day, but the thing that unites us is that we’re all here to make amazing games and experiences for our players, and that is how we have the most positive impact on the world," Singh said, according to a transcript of the meeting obtained by Kotaku.

She added: "These things are hard and they’re personal, and we all have our own perspectives, and sometimes we won’t speak, and that will be upsetting, and I understand that, we really do."

In a subsequent statement, EA's corporate communications director, Lacey Haines, reportedly told the outlet she could not provide further comment about the town hall since it is a "confidential forum." But she insisted that EA works hard to "create an environment where our employees can talk about complex issues" through company meetings, Slack discussions, group dialogues, surveys, and more.

"From all of that," she added, "We recognize these topics are deeply personal, and we know that there are many strong opinions, and some will be disappointed when we say that we’re not making public statements because we’re focused on the ways we can support our people around the world as their employer."

Yet, while refusing to issue a public statement on the controversial topics, Haines noted that the company is working — though perhaps out of the public eye — to support employees affected by some of the developments. For example, she said the company is "making sure that people have access to the health care benefits we provide as a company, even if those aren’t available locally." That likely means providing stipends for women to travel out of state to have abortions.

Additionally, in March, the company did join dozens of others to sponsor a full-page ad in the Dallas Morning News denouncing Abbott's "anti-LGBTQ+ efforts" in Texas.

\u201cThis will run in the Dallas Morning News this morning. #ProtectTransKids #txlege\u201d
— Rebecca Marques (@Rebecca Marques) 1647004817

That said, EA's decision to refrain from taking a more public stance is commendable, and likely wise — especially as many other businesses, such as Disney, rush to the public sphere to declare their stances on controversial matters, perhaps to their detriment.