George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley is warning that former Rep. Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke’s profane weekend tirade over Texas redistricting may end up being legal ammunition for his opponents.
O’Rourke, who has been fighting a temporary restraining order blocking his group from funneling money to Texas Democrats who fled the state to break quorum, told a crowd that it was time for Democrats to say “f*** the rules” and “win whatever it takes.” Turley said that kind of rhetoric is likely to boomerang in the courtroom.
“Beto O’Rourke clearly believes that the combination of profanity and illegality is just the ticket for Democrats in 2026,” Turley wrote on X. “After a ruling against him in court, he seems to have dispensed with democracy in favor of anarchy.”
Beto O’Rourke clearly believes that the combination of profanity and illegality is just the ticket for Democrats in 2026: “F**k the rules, we are going to win whatever it takes.” After a ruling against him in court, he seems to have dispensed with democracy in favor of anarchy.
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) August 10, 2025
Turley noted that O’Rourke’s now-viral remarks could easily end up in legal filings as evidence of his “utter disregard for the law and contempt for the judicial system,” adding that such soundbites rarely play well in front of a judge.
“O’Rourke appears to follow the John McEnroe school of appealing adverse rulings,” Turley quipped. “The problem is that O’Rourke’s court tantrum will only undermine his case and his cause going forward. ‘F*** the rules’ is hardly a compelling argument for most judges.”
…O’Rourke appears to follow the John McEnroe school of appealing adverse rulings. The problem is that O’Rourke’s court tantrum will only undermine his case and his cause going forward. “F**k the rules” is hardly a compelling argument for most judges.
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) August 10, 2025
O’Rourke had urged Democrats in deep-blue states to aggressively redraw congressional maps to cement partisan advantage and, if back in power, to ram through sweeping left-wing policies without restraint — even boasting, “We’re gonna drive that car like we stole it.”
Turley’s takeaway: the clip might fire up O’Rourke’s base, but it’s also a gift-wrapped exhibit for the other side in his looming legal fight.
The post Jonathan Turley Says Beto’s ‘F*** The Rules’ Rant Will Backfire: ‘Hardly A Compelling Argument’ appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
