A Democratic candidate was forcibly removed and arrested during a heated redistricting hearing at the State Capitol in Austin on Thursday.
The chaotic scenes were captured on video, showing security officials dragging him out of the room, reports New York Post.
Isaiah Martin is running for Congress in Texas, contesting a special election to replace the late Republican Sylvester Turner.
Martin shouted, “It is a shame. It is horrific. For what you have … ” as officers pulled him from the House redistricting committee meeting. Just before reaching the door, a capitol security officer fell on top of Martin during the scuffle.
“Jesus! Get off of him!” a woman in the crowd shouted after Martin hit the ground under the weight of a security officer.
The incident began after Republican state representative Cody Vasut ordered Martin to be removed when he exceeded his two-minute speaking limit and refused to stop even after his microphone was cut off.
It took three men to remove Martin from the room as bystanders watched.
As he was pulled into the hallway, Martin could be heard yelling, “America will rise up against you!” before falling again.
Martin was arrested by the Texas department of public safety and booked into Travis County jail . According to local news outlet KVUE, he faced charges of criminal trespass , disrupting a meeting or procession, and resisting arrest.
However, all charges were dropped by Friday. Martin’s brother, in a post on social media, confirmed his release and claimed the state had tried to “make an example” out of the candidate.
"Isaiah will be released from Travis County Jail tonight. Thank you to everyone who personally reached out to help move the needle on his release. Nobody should be detained for their freedom of speech , and I’m grateful for the love and support.," he said in a post on his Martin's official X account.
The chaotic scenes were captured on video, showing security officials dragging him out of the room, reports New York Post.
Isaiah Martin is running for Congress in Texas, contesting a special election to replace the late Republican Sylvester Turner.
Houston congressional candidate Isaiah Martin was apprehended by Texas Capitol Police after speaking out against what his team called "illegal gerrymandering" efforts. https://t.co/ekeiBTj2rx pic.twitter.com/u5imTeimLU
— San Antonio Express-News (@ExpressNews) July 25, 2025
Martin shouted, “It is a shame. It is horrific. For what you have … ” as officers pulled him from the House redistricting committee meeting. Just before reaching the door, a capitol security officer fell on top of Martin during the scuffle.
“Jesus! Get off of him!” a woman in the crowd shouted after Martin hit the ground under the weight of a security officer.
The incident began after Republican state representative Cody Vasut ordered Martin to be removed when he exceeded his two-minute speaking limit and refused to stop even after his microphone was cut off.
It took three men to remove Martin from the room as bystanders watched.
As he was pulled into the hallway, Martin could be heard yelling, “America will rise up against you!” before falling again.
Martin was arrested by the Texas department of public safety and booked into Travis County jail . According to local news outlet KVUE, he faced charges of criminal trespass , disrupting a meeting or procession, and resisting arrest.
However, all charges were dropped by Friday. Martin’s brother, in a post on social media, confirmed his release and claimed the state had tried to “make an example” out of the candidate.
"Isaiah will be released from Travis County Jail tonight. Thank you to everyone who personally reached out to help move the needle on his release. Nobody should be detained for their freedom of speech , and I’m grateful for the love and support.," he said in a post on his Martin's official X account.
UPDATE: Isaiah will be released from Travis County Jail tonight. Thank you to everyone who personally reached out to help move the needle on his release. Nobody should be detained for their freedom of speech, and I’m grateful for the love and support. pic.twitter.com/mMj3mh0uqm
— Isaiah Martin (@isaiahrmartin) July 26, 2025
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