Texas Gov. Greg Abbott filed an emergency petition Tuesday with the state Supreme Court to remove Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston), chair of the Texas Democratic Caucus, after he and dozens of other Democrats defiantly left the state to block a Republican redistricting vote.

The governor also alleged absconding Democrats may have committed felonies by fundraising to cover the $500-a-day fines they will face under House rules.

Legal experts say it’s “inconsistent with the Texas Constitution” to argue that leaving the state to halt legislative action qualifies as abandoning an office.