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Texas Governor Greg Abbott vowed Monday to hold prosecutors accountable if they fail to enforce the law and protect the state’s residents.
In a tweet, the Republican governor invoked House Bill 17, which he signed earlier this month. Abbott said the new law “will help rule in rogue prosecutors.”
“Those who want to work in Texas law enforcement need to enforce the laws and protect Texans,” he said. “If not, they will be held accountable.”
Abbott has previously said the bill was designed to crack down on “rogue” prosecutors who refuse to prosecute whole types of crimes, such as abortion, robbery or drug-related crimes.
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The bill, which the governor signed into law on June 6, expanded the definition of “official misconduct” for which a prosecutor can be removed from office. The law allowed Texans to plead for the removal of prosecutors who refuse to prosecute a class or type of offense by petitioning.
FILE: Texas Governor Greg Abbott looks on at a March 15, 2023 press conference in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
HB 17 came in response to leftist DAs and like-minded attorneys general who pledged not to enforce abortion bans since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in the summer of 2022.
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Many prosecutors, including New York City Attorney Alvin Bragg and Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon, have declined to prosecute minor crimes or felonies, including marijuana and prostitution. In Texas, Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza has been criticized for similar policies. He also controversially charged more than 20 Austin police officers for their actions during the violent riots in 2020, which saw intersections overrun, rioters attempt to take the city’s police station, and the capitol building destroyed. Garza accepted campaign funds from Soros-affiliated groups.
Fox News’ Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues and much more.
